END OF FIRST TERM EXAMINATION, DECEMBER……………………

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
BASIC 8
TIME ALLOWED: 1 HOUR45 MINUTES
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 questions in Part B and Part C. Answer all the
questions in your answer booklet.
PART A
ESSAY WRITING - [30 MARKS]
1. Write a story that illustrates the saying: „one good turn deserves another’.
2. You are the main speaker in an essay in an interschool debate. Write
your speech for or against the motion:" Corrupt Public Officers Too Deserve
Capital Punishment"
3. You have completed your basic school education. Write a letter to your
Member of Parliament requesting for a scholarship package to enable you access
Second Cycle Education.

PART B
COMPREHENSION
[30 MARKS]
4. Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which
follow.
The drums and the dancing began again and reached fever-heat. Darkness was
around the corner, and the burial was near. Guns fired the last salute and the
cannon rent the sky. And then from the centre of the delirious fury came a cry of
agony and shouts of horror. It was as if a spell had been cast. All was silent. In the
centre of the crowd, a boy lay in a pool of blood.

It was the dead man's sixteen-year-old son, who with his brothers and half-
brothers had been dancing the traditional farewell to their father. Okonkwo's gun
had exploded and a piece of iron had pierced the boy's heart.

The only course open to Okonkwo was to flee from the clan. It was a crime
against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who committed it must
flee from the land. That night he collected his most valuable belongings into
headloads. His wives wept bitterly and their children weptwith them without
knowing why. Obierika and half a dozen other friends came to help and to console
him.

As soon as the day broke, a large crowd of men from Ezuedu's quarter stormed
Okwonkwo's compound, dressed in garbs of war. They set fire to his houses,
demolished his red walls, killed his animals and destroyed his barn. It was the
justice of the earth goddess, and they were merely her messengers. They had no
hatred in their hearts against Okonkwo. His friend, Obierika, was among them.
They were merely cleansing the land which Okonkwo had polluted with the blood
of a clansman.

Obierika was a man who thought about things. When the will of the goddess had
been done, he sat in his obi and mourned his friend's calamity. Why should a man
suffer so grievously for an offence he had committed inadvertently? But although
he thought for a long time, he found no answer. He was merely led into greater
complexities.
He remembered his wife's twin children he had thrown away.
What crime had they committed? The Earth goddess had decreed that they were
an offence on the land and must be destroyed. And if the clan did not exact
punishment to the offence against the great goddess, her wrath wasloosed on the
land and not just on the offender. As the elders say, “if the finger brought oil it
soiled the others.”

a) Why did the writer say the men had nothing against Okonkwo?
b) Why did Okonkwo have to flee from the clan?
c) What was the consequence of not carrying out the will of the earth goddess?
d) State a word or a phrase that you will use to describe Okonkwo in view of what
happened in paragraph one.

e) State four things that showed the actual carrying out of the will of the Earth
goddess.
f) What was Obierika's attitude towards the customs of the land?
g) Explain the following expressions in your own words:
i. …. around the corner ii. …. a cry of agony iii. As soon as the day broke ….
iv. ….they were merely her messengers v. He was merely led into greater
complexities.
h) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the
same, and can fit into the passage:
i. salute; ii. pierced; iii. belongings; iv. bitterly; v. stormed; vi. will;
vii. exact; viii. great.
PART C
LITERATURE
[10 MARKS]
Answer all the questions in this part.
SACKEY J.A. and DARMANI L. (COMP.): The Cockcrow
5. Read the following extract carefully and answer questions a – c.
CHARLES DICKEN'S: Oliver Twist
I can teach the boy to be a chimney sweeper', he told Mr. Limbkins. But that's a
nasty job for a boy. The child could die with all that smoke and dust going into his
lungs. (Page 104)
a. Identify the one referred to as "he" in the extract.
b. The extract brings out the theme of ... .. . in the novel.
c. How was Oliver saved from becoming a chimney sweeper?

Read the following extract carefully and answer questions d – f.

AMA ATA AIDOO: The Dilemma Of A Ghost
X: Hureri. Hmm. All the time I have been quiet as if I were a tortoise. But I have
been watching, hoping that things would be different, at least, in this house. (Act
3. Page 54)
d. Write the name of the speaker represented X in the extract.
e. Why did the speaker make the above speech ...?
f. State the figure of speech in as if I were a tortoise.

Read the following extract carefully and answer questions g – h.

EVELYN TOOLEY HUNT: Mama Is A Sunrise
When she comes slip footing
through the door, she kindles us.
Like lump coal lighted ……….. (Page 184)
g. The extract is from the poem titled.....

h. What is the theme of the poem?

Read the following extract carefully and answer questions i – j.
KAAKYIRE AKOSOMBO NYANTANKYI: The Generous Hunter
Odeneho and my elders, the herb is ready. But it has to be mixed with the blood of
a slanderer." A loud silence suddenly enveloped the entire gathering. (Page 168)
i. What had happened at that moment?
j. The figure of speech used in loud silence is …………..

PAPER 1
OBJECTIVE TEST
Each question is followed by four options lettered A to D. Find out the correct
option for each question and shade in pencil on your answer sheet the answer
space which bears the same letter as the option you have chosen. Give only one
answer to each question.
PART A
LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
SECTION A
From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably
completes each sentence
1. We have been in school ……... three years. A. since B. in C. for D. by
2. Of the three boys, Joe is the …………
A. shorter B. most shortest C. mostshort D. shortest
3. You don't speak Nzema, ………..?
A. do you B. can you C. don't you D. won't you
4. If I were the manager, I .............satisfy my customers.
A. will B. shall C. would D. must
5. The pair of trousers is worn ……… A. in B. out C. into D. on
6. The crowd was ………... large that the director became frightened.

A. quite B. so C. too D. very

7. English..............my favourite subject. When I was in school.

A. has been B. were C. was D. had been

8. Kofi and Yaw shook hands with……… A. each other. B. each one. C. one
another. D. themselves.
9. You know very well that it was no fault of…. A. my B. I C. me D. mine
10. The boy swore that the books were ……… A. his B. their C. theirs D.
their's
11. Acheampong travelled five days………. A. ago. B. hence. C. now. D. since.
12. Human beings will not live forever, ............? A. will B. isn't it C. does it
D. shall they
13. The jury acquitted the man ………murder. A. from B. of C. on D. with
14. I would study hard for the examination if I ………... you. A. am B. be C. was
D. were
15. He was introduced ……the directors by his co-worker. A. by B. to C. through
D. from

SECTION B
Choose the alternative A-D, the one nearest in meaning to the underlined word in
each sentence.
16. Godfred lamented the loss of his pet. A. regretted B. mourned
C. remembered D. discovered
17. With hard work, we can overcome any problem. A. get B. avoid C. stop
D. solve
18. The students were jubilating because they had passed their exams.
A. singing B. shouting C. dancing D. rejoicing
19. Our dependable goalkeeper saved us from disgrace.
A. reliable B. tall C. smart D. muscular
20. Abigail was a renowned nurse. A. rich B. humble C. brave D. famous
SECTION C
In each of the following sentences a group of words has been underlined. Choose
the alternative A-D the one that best explains the underlined group of words.

21. John is always light-hearted in spite of his problems. This means that in spite
of all his problems John is always……… A. careless B. cheerful C. cool
D. proud

22. After that accident, Ayorkor has really gone through the mill. This means that
Ayorkor has………… A. change her life. B. become angry. C. suffered a lot.
D. received some money.
23. Moro felt very much at home at his friend's house. This means that Moro………
A. knew his friend's house. B. was disappointed. C. was comfortably relaxed.
D. lives with his friend.

24. The students were all ears during the programme. This means the students
A. answered questions. B. closed their ears. C. looked closely. D. listened
attentively.
25. It took our new prefect two months before he could find his feet. This means
that it took the perfect two months before he………
A. knew everyday. B. became confident. C. won prize. D. became popular.
SECTION D
Choose from the alternatives lettered A-D, the one opposite in meaning to the
underlined word in each sentence.
26. The trader agreed to pay extra money to the council. A. tried B. struggled
C. refused D. wanted
27. The boxer displayed a higher degree of bravery in the fight.
A. speed B. cowardice C. alertness D. competence
28. It is the fact that Emmanuella often gives accurate answers to questions.
A. long B. silly C. wrong D. interesting
29. The learners rejected the prefect chosen by the staff.
A. admired B. advised C. accepted D. relied on
30. The present-day youth still indulge in all kinds of drug abuse.
A. avoid B. increase C. discourage D. disallow
END OF TEST
 END OF FIRST TERM EXAMINATION, DECEMBER……………………
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
BASIC 9
TIME ALLOWED: 1 HOUR45 MINUTES
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 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
materials.
1. In an article for publication in your local newspaper, write on the role of parents in
imbibing digital literacy as a 21st century skill in children.
2. Write a letter to the Minister of Education suggesting to him at least three
measures that should be put in place to check examination irregularities.
3. Write a story that ends with the expression, “… and it was good I left there early.”
PART B
COMPREHENSION - [30 Marks]
4. Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions that follow.
After a hard day's work, man must relax. Relaxation helps us to regain energy used
during the hard work. It is in line with its necessity that people entertain themselves
with television, computer games, sports, music and what have you. The mind and
body become fresh and strong respectively for the task, hence the adage "all work
and no play, makes Jack a dull boy." People before the late 70s, knew this and had
time for entertainment. Those people had different ways of relaxation.
I remember before and just after Ghana's independence, people in the communities
came together at home and in the communities to enjoy folk music. It was during
this time that guitar, then called "ahamaesia" was introduced. The other form of
entertainment and perhaps more entertaining, was the Ananse stories.
It was interesting to listen to those stories. People yearned to get the latest ones to
be the first to tell their audience. Apart from the amusement it offered, folktales
itself increased the wisdom of the people, after listening to the wits of Kweku
Ananse, the main character in the Ananse stories. People had to take precautions in
their dealings with others. Education authorities knew this and gave it a place on the
school timetable.
However, with man's historic conquer of the moon and the introduction of
technology; this has become a thing of the past. In its place are the craze for money
without much toll and the use of hard drugs among the youth. Truly, there is wisdom
in the Ananse stories.
Answer the following questions.
a. Why is relaxation necessary?
b. Write two things folktales offered the people before the late 70s.
c. Why was folktale given a place on the school timetable some time ago?
d. i. What negative effects has the introduction of technology brought to man?
ii. State any two forms of entertainment given by the writer.
e. Explain the following expressions in your own words.
i. what have you ii. gave it a place iii. a thing of the past
f. For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same,
and can fit into the passage. i. necessity ii. respectively iii. Yearned iv. Audience
v. wits
 PART C
LITERATURE - [10 Marks]
Answer all this questions in this part
SACKEY J.K AND DARMANI L. (COMP):The cockcrow
V. B. AAKYE : The Colour of God
15 And damask and aquamarine
If you doubt me ……………
a. Complete line 16 of the above poem.

LADE WORSUNU: Desert Rivers

5 And winds that dry
Roofed not by sky
b. What sound device can be identified in lines 5 and 6?
c. From the above extract, what literary device is dominant?

LAWRENCE DARMANI: Scribbler’s Dream

When upon the shelf you gaze
5 vacuum stares at you
There is your quill and parchment
But heavy are your hands
Why?
d. ‘quill and parchment’ as used by the poet refers to ……………………
e. Line 5 reveals that vacuum stares at the persona. What does it mean?
PETER PAUL ADOLINAMA: Ripples
It was ironic that while the bride was unhappy, she was the envy of all the young
women in town. [Pg. 81]
f. Who is referred to as “bride” in the above extract?
g. The above extract depicts the theme of …………………..?
h. What literary device is in the above extract?
 JEAN WASTON: The Old Man And His Children
As the boys watched, their father tied these firmly together. Then he handed the
bundle to his oldest son and said “Try and break that.” [Pg. 18]
i. How many sticks were tied to make the bundle?
j. Why could he not break it?
END OF ESSAY TEST

PAPER 1 - OBJECTIVE TEST

Answer All Questions. Each question is followed by four options lettered A to D. Find
the correct option for each question and shade in pencil on your answer sheet the
space which bears the same letter as the option you have chosen. Give only one
answer to each question.
SECTION A: LEXIS & STRUCTURE
From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which suitably completes
each sentence.
1. The judge ruled that the Martins must leave the house because it wasn't……………
A. His. B. Their. C. their's. D. theirs.
2. We haven't confirmed .......... signature this is. A. whose B. what C. which D.
who's
3. The Local Assemblies are authorized to pass … A. bye-laws. B. byes'-laws.
C. bye's-laws. D. byes-laws.
4. The boy swore that the books were……. A. his. B. theirs. C. theirs'. D. their's.
5. The two cats are so similar that I cannot tell whether that one is.......
A. yourself and myself. B. yours or mine. C. my or you. D. your's or mine.
6. I'm sure this basket is ………....... A. her's. B. hers'. C. hers. D. her.
7. The proposer's argument was …………... convincing than that of his opponent.
A. much more B. most C. much D. more much
8. She ................the scene before that accident occurred. A. leaves B. has left
C. left D. had left
9. Many people are now used to ……without lunch. A. have gone B. be going
C. going D. go
10. The two brothers came in ……... the back door. A. within B. along C. across
D. through
11. He ............not retort when I am speaking. A. dares B. dare C. dared D. will
dare
12. I found out recently that one can enjoy ………... without drinking.
A. myself B. oneself C. herself D. yourself
13. Ato told me that……...had gone to see the manager for the cheque.
A. himself B. him himself C. he himself D. him
14. I had an occasion .............Wa last month. A. for visiting B. of visiting C. to visit
D. in visiting
15. English Language........my favourite subject when I was in school.
A. has been B. were C. was D. had been
SECTION B
Choose from the alternative from letter A to D the one which his nearest in
meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
16. His contributions to the development of the hospital remain unrivalled.
A. unparalleled B. undisputed C. undisclosed D. unbroken
17. Young children seldom engage in gainful activities. A. accredited B.
advantageous C. rewarding D. prevailing
18. Occasionally, she rises to a level of rare excellence in her academic performance.
A. Sometimes B. Scarce C. Temporarily D. Common
19. Godfred lamented the loss of his pet. A. regretted B. mourned C.
remembered
D. discovered
20. With hard work we can overcome any problem. A. get B. avoid C. stop D.
solve
SECTION C
In each of the following sentences a group of words has been underlined. Choose
from the alternatives letter A to D the one that best explains the underlined group
of words
21. I am sure you didn't know that the lady is light-fingered. This means that the lady
is A. fair-skinned B. is careless in handling things C. prone to stealing D. skillful
with her hands
22. The newly acquired Air-Bus plane is a white elephant. This means that the plane
is..... A. as big as an elephant B. very useful C. very costly but worthless
D. the biggest plane on the fleet
23. Awugu was certainly born with a silver spoon in his mouth. This means that.....
A. his parents gave him a silver spoon when he was born B. his parents could not
help him C. he was in the age of miracle D. He was born in a rich family
24. The girl went scot-free even though she started the fight. This means that the girl
was. A. punished B. unpunished C. expelled from school D. free to move about
25. The secretary's vote of thanks did not ring true. This means that the vote of
thanks was A. well delivered B. full of praise C. not audible D. not sincere
SECTION D
From the list of words lettered A to D choose the one that is mostly nearly opposite
in meaning to the word underlined in each sentence.
26. The leader of the delegation was commended for the manner in which he
handled the matter, while their hosts were …….... A. applauded. B. praised.
C. criticized. D. sanctioned.
27. Musa is very frugal whereas his friend Abu is ....... A. miserly. B. thrifty.
C. precocious. D. extravagant.
28. He was promoted for his efficiency, while his colleague was demoted for ………
A. ability. B. lateness. C. incompetence. D. capability.
29. Owusu's business is flourishing while his father's is…….. A. declining.
B. progressing. C. withering. D. vanishing.
30. We were asked to reach a compromise and not start another.......
A. accusation. B. concession. C. controversy. D. issue.
END OF PAPER
 END OF FIRST TERM EXAMINATION, DECEMBER……………………
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
BASIC 7
TIME ALLOWED: 1 HOUR45 MINUTES
PAPER ONE

OBJECTIVE TEST (30 MARKS)

Shade the correct option on your shading paper.

SECTION A - LEXIS AND STRUCTURE.

Complete the sentences below by choosing the correct option

1. The students………….. filled the tank with water

(a) theirselves (b) themselves (c) themself (d) theirself

2. Yaa and I have completed all the project assigned by the lecturer……… (a)
ourself (b) himself (c) ourselves (d) themselves

3. Whether you do it…….. or not, you will not be paid

(a) yourselves (b) yourself (c) myself (d) yourselfes

4. The teacher asked…… shirt it this? (a) who (b) whom (c) whose

5. …….. items are mine, leave them there please. (a) These (b) That (c) Those
(d) Which

6. The teacher gave……. Children some exercises. (a) these (b) that (c) this (d)
whose

7. Anbeboara has been pouring the water in……. bowl. (a) those (b) that (c)
these (d) which

8. The soup….. good. Do you enjoy it? (a) feels (b) smells (c) tastes (d) looks

9. Tutujagu……. tired, but Ananse is still strong. (a) feels (b) looks (c) smells

10. Nina, Simpa and Kutu……. the classroom all the time. (a) scrubbed (b)
scrubs (c) scrub (d) is scrubbing
11. The teacher on duty…… the assembly. (a) conduct (b) conducts (c)
conducting (d) have conducted

12. The pupils…….. from the punishment. (a) is suffering (b) have suffering (d)
are being suffering (d) are suffering

13. Mansah……… the food in the bowl. (a) have eaten (b) has eaten (c) eating
(d) has ate

14. I …….. sleeping for quite some time now. (a) has been (b) have been (c) am

15. Farmers……..their site after clearing. (a) burn (b) burns (c) are burning

SECTION B: COMPREHENSION

Read the passage below and use it to answer the questions that follow.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah left for America to study. He came to London at the end of
the great war of 1939 to 1945. When Dr. Nkrumah was in London, some
patriots formed the political party called UGCC (United Gold Coast
Convention).

The founders were lawyers and merchants. They wanted someone to be the
general secretary. They had already heard of Dr. Nkrumah and they invited him
to come back to Ghana.

16. Who is said to have come to London at the end of the Great War?

(a) Dr. Nkrumah Kwame (b) Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (c) Dr. Kwame Badu

17. Which group formed the UGCC? (a) The UGCC people (b) The Patriots (c)
NPP and NDC

18. What were the main occupations of the founders of the party? (a) Mobile
Money Merchants (b) Lawyers and Mobile Money Merchants (c) Merchants
and Lawyers

19. Why did they call the man who left for America? (a) to help them (b) to
increase their numbers (c) to serve as a secretary (d) general secretary
 SECTION C: ORAL LANGUAGE – SOUNDS

Choose the option that has the correct sound /I/ to answer 19 – 21 and /I:/
for 22 – 25.

20. (a) leader (b) lighter (c) lifting (d) biking

21. (a) die (b) maid (c) bite (d) bit

22. (a) piece (b) piss (c) kite

23. (a) ship (b) shepherd (c) sheep

24. (a) sleet (b) slit (c) slept

25. (a) tick (b) teak (c) tilt

26. (a) wick (c) wilt (c) weak

SECTION D: LITERATURE

Choose the correct answer from the options lettered A – D

27. Ananse stories belong to….. (a) forklore (b) myths (c) oral literature (d)
legend

28. The traditional laws and the way of life of a people are referred to as (a)
forktale (b) forklore (c) culture (d) traditional laws

29. The story of Yaa Asantewaa is under………. (a) festivals (b) history (c)
legends (d) forklore

30. Playing of ‘Ampe’ belongs to …….. (a) myths (b) legends (c) forklores (d)
forktales
 PAPER 2 – 70 MARKS

SECTION A – 20 MARKS

1. GRAMMAR USAGE

Answer all questions in this section, all questions carry equal marks. Read the
instructions carefully before attempting the questions.

A Change the tenses in the sentences below into present perfect progressive
(Rewrite the sentences with the correct forms of tenses)

i. The teacher on duty (inspects) our school uniforms.

ii. The arrogant people (suffer) from the punishment.
iii. John (did) the job diligently

B Change the verbs in the passage into past tense. Write the correct verbs
only, do not rewrite the passage.

iv. Tuesday, 10th September, (is) my first day in JHS. 1. I (wake) up very
early in the morning, (have) my bath, (take) my breakfast and (go) to
school.
v. The bell boy (ring) the bell and we (assemble) in front of the classroom.
Miss Teresa Dzordzi (appear) and (talk) to us. She (ask) all the girls to
sweep the classroom.
vi. The head teacher (speak) to us. He (introduce) the teachers to us. He
(say) we must come to school early. The day (is bring) to a close. When
I (get) home, I told my grandfather what (happens) that day.

C Change the tenses in the sentences below into Past Perfect. (Rewrite the
sentences with the correct forms of tenses)

vii. Antie Luzita’s vegetables (rot) in her refrigerator

viii. Asare Kumi Andrews (fly) the kite on the main road.
ix. Sima and Ujeugu (swim) in the swimming pool in the house.
x. The owner arrived after the dog (bite) the child.
 SECTION B – 20 MARKS

2. SUMMARY

Read the passage below carefully and use it to answer the questions that
follow

Poverty is a disease which has affected millions of Africans. But the question is
who is a poor person? The poor person is the one who can hardly afford one
good meal a day. He is always undernourished and looks very pale.

The poor person has no decent accommodation. He sleeps in ghettos and in

uncompleted buildings. The poor person has no good clothes to wear. He is
always in tattered clothes and sometimes walks bare-footed.

Some poor parents can hardly send their children to school. If they do,
payment of the school fees becomes a problem and their wards usually
become school drop-outs.

They grow up to become a danger to society as they may engage in armed-

robbery and prostitution. The poor are never respected in their communities
and people always look down upon them. Their ideas are never taken and
considered to be foolish. This places the in a very bad situation and they grieve
until they die.

i. In three sentences, state who the poor person is according to the

passage
ii. In two sentences, state what becomes of the poor person’s wards.
iii. In just a word, what comes to end the poor person’s suffering as
stated in the passage.
iv. Explain the meaning of the following words or group of words as
used the passage above
a. …can hardly afford
b. …in tattered clothes
c. …undernourished
d. …look down upon them
 SECTION C – 30 MARKS

3. ESSAY WRITING

Answer only one (1) question from this section. Your essay should be at least
200 words long. Indent all your paragraphs, Write your heading in Upper
Case, center and neatly underlined it.

1. Describe how to prepare your favourite meal

2. Describe the market scene in your community
3. You witnessed a fight between two primary 5 pupils; describe the
incident to your friend.