All 120 questions from the Basic Education Certificate Examination (Junior WAEC) (BECE) English Language 2024 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
PASSAGE I
Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Nigeria, especially those in the rural areas. It plays a major role in the lives of the people.
Agriculture provides employment. Many people depend on it to make a living. More than 65% of strong and healthy people in the country practice one type of agriculture or the other such as farming, fishing, poultry and keeping animals.
Apart from this, agriculture provides food for the large population of the country. Everybody needs food whether one is a farmer, doctor, teacher, scientist or a preacher. Whatever profession one belongs to, one must eat, and, food comes from agriculture. Food supplied by agriculture includes: yams, beans, plantain, guinea corn, beef, fish, chicken etc.
Different industries produce the goods we use with materials gotten from agriculture. Textile industries use cotton to make clothes. Industries that produce tyres make use of rubber, soap making industries depend on palm oil, while shoe industries rely on the skin they get from animals. Therefore, agriculture provides raw materials for industries.
Furthermore, agriculture provides money for government. When farmers export crops like cocoa, groundnuts and yams to other countries, they pay taxes to government. At times, big farmers and businessmen import agricultural materials like fishing nets, fertilizers, tractors and drugs for treating fish, fowls and other animals. Government collect taxes on all of these.
The main livelihood of most Nigerians according to the passage is ____.
A. agricultureCorrect B. cattle rearingC. farmingD. fishingE. poultryExplanation The passage opens: 'Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Nigeria'.
Many people depend on agriculture because it ____.
A. determines how successful people will be.B. is a major physical exercise for people.C. is the only source of income of the people.D. plays a significant role in the lives of the people.Correct E. promotes the existence of people.Explanation The passage says agriculture 'plays a major role in the lives of the people' and many depend on it for a living.
According to the passage, which of the following is not true?
A. Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Nigeria.B. Agriculture provides food for the large population in the country.C. Agriculture provides money for government.D. Different industries produce the goods we use with materials gotten from agriculture.E. Large scale farmers and businessmen export agricultural materials like fishing nets.Correct Explanation Big farmers and businessmen import (not export) materials like fishing nets.
The word "healthy" as used in the passage is ____.
A. a nounB. a verbC. an adjectiveCorrect D. an adverbE. an interjectionExplanation 'Healthy' describes the noun 'people', so it is an adjective.
The word that can replace "main" as used in the passage is ____.
A. alternativeB. majorCorrect C. minorD. onlyE. secondaryExplanation 'Main' means major.
PASSAGE II
Friendship is one of the greatest bonds anyone can ever wish for. Lucky are those who have friends they can trust. Friendship is a devoted relationship between two individuals, who both feel immense care and love for each other. Usually a friendship is shared by two people who have similar interests and feelings.
You meet many people along the way of life but only some stay with you forever. Those are your real friends who stay by your side through thick and thin. Friendship is the most beautiful gift you can present to anyone. It is what stays with a person forever.
A person is acquainted with many persons in their life. However, the closest ones become our friends. You may have a large friend circle in school but you know you can only count on few people with whom you share true friendship.
Most importantly, true friendship stands for a relationship free of any judgement. In a true friendship, a person can be themselves completely without fear of being judged. It makes one feel loved and accepted. This kind of freedom is what every human strives to have in their lives.
In short, true friendship is what gives us reason to stay in life. Having a loving family, you also need true friendship to be completely happy. Some people don't even have families but they have friends who are like their family. Thus, having true friends means a lot to everyone.
According to the passage, true friendship is ____
A. being kind to one another.B. having family members you can trust.C. having many acquaintances that make you happy.D. having someone who you share mutual feelings with.Correct E. paying visits to your friends.Explanation The passage says a friendship is shared by two people with similar interests and feelings.
"...thick and thin" as used in the passage is ____
A. a figure of speech.B. a part of speech.C. a phrasal verb.D. a proverb.E. an idiom.Correct Explanation 'Through thick and thin' is an idiom meaning in good times and bad.
One of the following statements is not true according to the passage.
A. All friends are trustworthy.Correct B. Friendship is a relationship between two individuals.C. Friendship is between people who share similar feelings.D. Happiness is derived from true friendship.E. Some friends are as good as family.Explanation The passage speaks of real friends; it does not say all friends are trustworthy.
Another word that can replace "immense" as used in the passage is ____.
A. deepB. enormousCorrect C. insignificantD. minuteE. trivialExplanation Immense means enormous.
The aim of the passage is to ____.
A. analyseB. appraiseC. criticiseD. educateCorrect E. entertainExplanation The writer explains the value of true friendship to teach the reader.
The monks take a ____ of silence yearly.
A. bannB. pledgeC. postureD. voteE. vowCorrect Explanation A vow of silence is the fixed expression.
My aunt's daughter who is my ____ visited me.
A. cousinCorrect B. nephewC. nieceD. relationE. siblingExplanation An aunt's daughter is one's cousin.
The accident ____ were rushed to the intensive care unit.
A. convictsB. culpritsC. inmatesD. suspectsE. victimsCorrect Explanation People hurt in an accident are victims.
She took the ____ of allegiance as the new chairperson.
A. bondB. oathCorrect C. pledgeD. promiseE. vowExplanation 'Oath of allegiance' is the fixed phrase.
My dad is ____ he discovers new places.
A. a biologistB. a missionaryC. a scientistD. an explorerCorrect E. an inventorExplanation One who discovers new places is an explorer.
The divorced ____ has not started receiving any alimony.
A. brideB. coupleC. groomD. manE. womanCorrect Explanation Alimony is paid to the divorced wife.
James was ____ into the army.
A. co-optedB. employedC. enlistedCorrect D. secondedE. transferredExplanation People are enlisted into the army.
The students were advised to always use the ____ when crossing the road.
A. directionB. pedestrianCorrect C. railwayD. trafficE. walkwayExplanation The pedestrian crossing/bridge is meant for crossing roads.
After the day's work, the manager returned the cash to the ____.
A. bulk roomB. cabinetC. piggy boxD. storeE. vaultCorrect Explanation Cash is kept in a vault.
We requested for the menu at the ____.
A. airportB. castleC. museumD. restaurantCorrect E. terminusExplanation A menu is given at a restaurant.
Lucy went to see a dermatologist for her ____ disease.
A. eyeB. hairC. kidneyD. noseE. skinCorrect Explanation A dermatologist treats the skin.
The cook ____ the butter before frying the fish.
A. crumbledB. dissolvedC. grilledD. meltedCorrect E. whippedExplanation Butter is melted before frying.
The doctor kept the patient under close ____.
A. inspectionB. monitoringC. observationCorrect D. restrictionE. supervisionExplanation 'Under close observation' is the usual collocation.
James went to the ____ to record his new album.
A. hallB. stageC. stationD. studioCorrect E. theatreExplanation Music is recorded in a studio.
The firm organised ____ to showcase different artworks.
A. a conferenceB. a lectureC. a symposiumD. an auditionE. an exhibitionCorrect Explanation Artworks are shown at an exhibition.
In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A to E. Fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26 - 35).
-26- grow amongst -27- crops and their growth interfere with the -28- growth and -29- of crops. They constitute problems in agriculture in different ways. Weeds compete with cultivated crops for the -30- in the soil.
Weeds grow rapidly, crowd and cover young cultivated -31- and in this way prevent them from growing well. Some weeds have very broad -32- with which they shade the cultivated crops. When this happens, there is very little -33- for the crops to grow successfully.
Other weeds produce chemicals in the -34- which kills -35-.
Fill the gap marked -26-.
A. CannabisB. CropsC. GrassesD. PlantsE. WeedsCorrect Explanation Weeds are the unwanted plants that grow among crops.
Fill the gap marked -27-.
A. cultivatedCorrect B. culturedC. geneticD. improvedE. ploughedExplanation The passage later says 'cultivated crops'.
Fill the gap marked -28-.
A. activeB. livelyC. healthyD. normalCorrect E. rapidExplanation Weeds interfere with the normal growth of crops.
Fill the gap marked -29-.
A. advancementB. crossbreedingC. developmentCorrect D. floweringE. transplantingExplanation 'Growth and development' go together.
Fill the gap marked -30-.
A. foodB. nutrientsCorrect C. mineralsD. supplementsE. vitaminsExplanation Weeds compete with crops for nutrients in the soil.
Fill the gap marked -31-.
A. flowersB. fruitsC. herbsD. plantsCorrect E. vegetablesExplanation Weeds cover young cultivated plants.
Fill the gap marked -32-.
A. branchesB. leavesCorrect C. rootsD. shrubsE. treesExplanation Broad leaves shade the crops.
Fill the gap marked -33-.
A. rainB. shadeC. spaceD. sunlightCorrect E. waterExplanation Shade means very little sunlight reaches the crops.
Fill the gap marked -34-.
A. groundB. landC. plotD. soilCorrect E. territoryExplanation Chemicals released in the soil kill crops.
Fill the gap marked -35-.
A. cropsCorrect B. grainsC. seedsD. treesE. tubersExplanation Weeds produce chemicals that kill crops.
A ____ of sailors were drowned last week.
A. bandB. crewCorrect C. groupD. teamE. troopExplanation A crew of sailors is the usual collective noun.
Kunle kept the cat ____ the table.
A. aboveB. betweenC. overD. roundE. underCorrect Explanation A cat is kept under a table; the other prepositions do not fit sensibly.
Of the two sisters, Oge is ____ brilliant.
A. moreCorrect B. mostC. most moreD. much moreE. muchExplanation Comparative 'more' is used when comparing two.
You may take the ____ of the oranges.
A. more smallerB. most smallestC. smallD. smallerE. smallestCorrect Explanation 'Of the oranges' (several) takes the superlative smallest.
It rained ____ yesterday.
A. carefullyB. heavilyCorrect C. loudlyD. rapidlyE. seriouslyExplanation Rain falls heavily.
She was singing ____ I arrived.
A. andB. asC. becauseD. tillE. whenCorrect Explanation 'When I arrived' gives the time of the action.
The prefix ____ can be added to "lead" to form a new word.
A. in-B. mis-Correct C. pre-D. re-E. un-Explanation mis + lead = mislead.
Chike ____ the palm nuts.
A. breakB. has breakC. have brokenD. is breakingCorrect E. is brokenExplanation Only 'is breaking' is grammatical with the singular subject Chike.
The snake ____ Robert yesterday.
A. bitCorrect B. biteC. bittenD. had bittenE. has bittenExplanation 'Yesterday' calls for the simple past 'bit'.
He has ____ the correct spelling of his name.
A. forgetB. forgetsC. forgettingD. forgotE. forgottenCorrect Explanation 'Has' takes the past participle 'forgotten'.
Passive Voice: The wood has been cut by him. Active Voice: He ____ cut the wood.
A. hadB. hasCorrect C. haveD. willE. wouldExplanation Present perfect passive 'has been cut' becomes 'has cut'.
To ____ did he give the book?
A. whichB. whoC. who'sD. whomCorrect E. whoseExplanation After the preposition 'to' we use 'whom'.
Femi is as fair as ____.
A. herCorrect B. IC. meD. themE. usExplanation 'As fair as her' is the accepted form.
The driver took the ____ to a lonely route.
A. parsengersB. pasengersC. passengarsD. passengersCorrect E. passingersExplanation Correct spelling: passengers.
Direct Speech: "I will go to the supermarket early tomorrow," said Olu. Indirect Speech: Olu said that he ____.
A. will go to the supermarket early the next day.B. will go to the supermarket early tomorrow.C. would go to the supermarket early the next day.Correct D. would go to the supermarket early the previous day.E. would go to the supermarket early tomorrow.Explanation In reported speech 'will' becomes 'would' and 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day'.
He is wealthy ____ he lives in a rented apartment.
A. andB. asC. butCorrect D. sinceE. soExplanation 'But' shows contrast.
Active Voice: I am entertaining the visitors. Passive Voice: The visitors ____ entertained by me.
A. are beingCorrect B. have beenC. is beingD. was beingE. were beingExplanation Present continuous passive with plural subject: are being entertained.
None of them played a major role in the movie, ____ they?
A. didCorrect B. didn'tC. doD. don'tE. wouldExplanation A negative statement takes a positive tag.
Neither Jane nor her twin sister ____ trousers.
A. are wearingB. is wearingC. was wearingD. wearE. wearsCorrect Explanation With 'neither...nor' the verb agrees with the nearer (singular) subject; the simple present 'wears' fits a habit.
Each of the graduands ____ a copy of the program.
A. are havingB. hasCorrect C. haveD. were havingE. would haveExplanation 'Each' takes a singular verb.
Indirect Speech: The pupils told Lizzy that they were waiting for her there. Direct Speech: "We ____," the pupils said to Lizzy.
A. are waiting for her thereB. are waiting for you hereC. are waiting for you thereCorrect D. were waiting for her hereE. were waiting for you thereExplanation Back to direct speech: 'were' becomes 'are', 'her' becomes 'you'; 'there' stays.
I bought a ____ of meat yesterday.
A. bunchB. bundleC. gramD. kilogramCorrect E. packExplanation Meat is bought by the kilogram.
James gave Ayo and ____ free tickets to the forthcoming concert.
A. IB. meCorrect C. sheD. themE. theyExplanation Object of 'gave', so 'me'.
My roommate is too secretive and ____.
A. posesiveB. posessiveC. posserssiveD. possesiveE. possessiveCorrect Explanation Correct spelling: possessive.
The strangers were surprised ____ my attitude towards them.
A. aboutB. atCorrect C. byD. ofE. withExplanation 'Surprised at' is the usual form.
Which of the following words can be used with the suffix '-age' to form a new word?
A. bagB. breakCorrect C. lickD. mugE. saveExplanation break + age = breakage.
Jane could not participate in the just concluded exercise ____ she was heavily pregnant.
A. althoughB. becauseCorrect C. sinceD. soE. yetExplanation 'Because' gives the reason.
____ ladies we met at the pool party are my neighbours.
A. SomeB. ThatC. TheseD. ThisE. ThoseCorrect Explanation 'Those' (plural, distant) fits 'ladies we met'.
Parents ____ discipline their children.
A. mayB. mightC. shouldCorrect D. willE. wouldExplanation 'Should' expresses duty.
My aunt and the founder of the orphanage home ____ colleagues.
A. areCorrect B. had beenC. has beenD. isE. wasExplanation Two subjects joined by 'and' take a plural verb.
/ʒ/
A. cageB. decideC. leisureCorrect D. rushE. sinkExplanation 'Leisure' contains /ʒ/.
/ə/
A. aboutCorrect B. betC. meetD. mouthE. wantExplanation The first syllable of 'about' has /ə/.
/ʊə/
A. dearB. foilC. pearD. pureCorrect E. stareExplanation 'Pure' has /ʊə/.
/tʃ/
A. classB. clothesC. judgeD. rushE. touchCorrect Explanation 'Touch' ends in /tʃ/.
/e/
A. breadCorrect B. dewC. peopleD. realE. sayExplanation 'Bread' has /e/.
/aʊ/
A. blackB. boundCorrect C. bowlD. laundryE. readExplanation 'Bound' has /aʊ/.
/f/
A. happyB. haveC. pageD. photoCorrect E. spokeExplanation 'Photo' begins with /f/.
/ɜː/
A. breakB. earC. landD. learnCorrect E. leftExplanation 'Learn' has /ɜː/.
/k/
A. acheCorrect B. branchC. kneeD. knitE. speechExplanation 'Ache' is pronounced with /k/.
/uː/
A. bookB. deepC. goodD. newCorrect E. roadExplanation 'New' has /uː/.
/æ/
A. calmB. cartC. fameD. familyCorrect E. girlExplanation 'Family' has /æ/.
/j/
A. hideB. liquidC. rightD. viewCorrect E. wiseExplanation 'View' has /j/.
/h/
A. holdCorrect B. honestC. hourD. themE. whaleExplanation 'Hold' begins with /h/ (the 'h' is silent in honest and hour).
/ɔɪ/
A. airB. coinCorrect C. courtD. rodE. sureExplanation 'Coin' has /ɔɪ/.
/s/
A. casualB. cheapC. cycleCorrect D. shutE. zipExplanation The 'c' in 'cycle' is /s/.
A genre of literature that deals with story narration is ____.
A. dramaB. novelC. noveletteD. poetryE. proseCorrect Explanation Prose is the genre of narration; a novel is only one form of it.
A literary term which defines events that make up a story is ____.
A. conflictB. moodC. plotCorrect D. settingE. toneExplanation Plot is the sequence of events.
A literary device that is used to express something opposite from the literal meaning is ____.
A. hyperboleB. ironyCorrect C. metaphorD. onomatopoeiaE. simileExplanation Irony says one thing and means the opposite.
The expression "Ayo is my beautiful enemy" exemplifies the use of ____.
A. hyperboleB. ironyC. metaphorD. paradoxE. oxymoronCorrect Explanation 'Beautiful enemy' joins contradictory words: an oxymoron.
A word that sounds like what it names is ____.
A. alliterationB. assonanceC. onomatopoeiaCorrect D. rhymeE. rhythmExplanation Onomatopoeia imitates the sound.
"The judge addressed the bar" is an example of ____.
A. alliterationB. metonymyCorrect C. oxymoronD. paradoxE. synecdocheExplanation 'The bar' stands for the lawyers, a thing associated with them: metonymy.
An indirect comparison of two different objects using the word "like" or "as" is ____.
A. euphemismB. hyperboleC. ironyD. metaphorE. simileCorrect Explanation A comparison using 'like' or 'as' is a simile.
Literary work that uses animals as characters is ____.
A. animationB. cartoonC. fableCorrect D. fictionE. parableExplanation A fable uses animals as characters to teach a moral.
The youngest queen of King Adelegan is ____.
A. AbekeB. AdebisiC. FabunmiD. FunkeE. OmowunmiCorrect Explanation Set text (Sacrilege); answer from memory of the play.
Princess Adetutu is killed at the ____
A. king's palaceB. market squareC. Ogbun riverD. Ogbun shrineCorrect E. village squareExplanation Set text (Sacrilege): she is sacrificed at the shrine.
King Adelegan is the cause of his downfall because he ____
A. did not verify Adetutu's information.Correct B. married two wives.C. paid the guards heavily.D. shared his secret with Baba Fagbemi.E. was good to the palace chiefs.Explanation Set text (Sacrilege): he acts on Adetutu's report without checking it.
The desecration of Ogbon's shrine by King Adelegan brings ____ to the town.
A. breakthroughB. headacheC. peaceD. prosperityE. woesCorrect Explanation Desecrating a shrine brings woes.
The play begins in ____ house.
A. Baba Adegbite'sB. Baba Femi'sC. Baba Tunde'sD. Mr. Kolapo'sE. Mrs. Ajani'sCorrect Explanation Set text (The Thinking Head).
Mrs. Ajani is the ____ of F.F.A.P.
A. ChairmanCorrect B. General secretaryC. Public relations officerD. Publicity secretaryE. TreasurerExplanation Set text (The Thinking Head).
The play can be described as a ____.
A. comedyCorrect B. farceC. melodramaD. tragedyE. tragi-comedyExplanation Set text (The Thinking Head).
The following are characters in the play except ____.
A. BabalolaB. FemiC. JejelolaD. JensimiCorrect E. KorooExplanation Set text (The Thinking Head).
Which of the following is not a danger of substance abuse? It ____
A. boosts the immune system.Correct B. can collapse the veins and blood vessels.C. causes addiction.D. causes liver damage.E. leads to intoxication.Explanation Substance abuse weakens, not boosts, the immune system.
Esther promises hell on Israel because ____
A. he chooses his work over the family.Correct B. he does not send money to her.C. he refuses to divorce Doris.D. she claims he hides her from his family.E. they don't spend more time together.Explanation Set text (Addiction): her complaint is that he puts work before the family.
The following are themes in the text except ____.
A. cultismCorrect B. drug abuseC. family irresponsibilityD. friendshipE. peer pressureExplanation Set text (Addiction): cultism is not among its themes.
"... as blind as bat will take only a glance at me..." The underlined phrase is an example of ____.
A. euphemismB. ironyC. metaphorD. personificationE. simileCorrect Explanation 'As blind as a bat' compares using 'as': simile.
"Life is too short to laze around ...." This statement is made by ____ to ____.
A. Lanre, NkiruB. Nkiru, TiwaC. Ola, NkiruD. Tiwa, ChuksE. Tiwa, NkiruCorrect Explanation Set text (Stigma).
"Curiosity is killing the cat..." is a/an ____
A. idiomB. metaphorC. personificationD. proverbCorrect E. simileExplanation 'Curiosity killed the cat' is a proverb.
Tiwa and Nkiru are both given birth to at ____
A. Ahmad Bello University Teaching Hospital.B. Jos University Teaching Hospital.C. Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.Correct D. Lagos University Teaching Hospital.E. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.Explanation Set text (Stigma).
The text teaches ____ for people living with HIV.
A. acceptance and stigma.B. diagnosis and care.C. hatred and loveD. love and careCorrect E. test and treatmentExplanation Set text (Stigma): the message is love and care.
The novelist employs ____ narrative technique.
A. dialogueB. first personC. omniscientCorrect D. second personE. stream of consciousnessExplanation Set text (Somayina): told by an all-knowing narrator.
"Good night, Sempe! Good-night Supepe!" These salutations are for twin ____.
A. babiesB. cowsC. goatsCorrect D. lambsE. ramsExplanation Set text (Somayina).
"The little boy stood still, watching the dancing trees" is an example of ____.
A. hyperboleB. metaphorC. personificationCorrect D. punE. simileExplanation Trees are given human action (dancing): personification.
The main reason for the return of Somayina to Udokamma is ____
A. for a relief.B. the request of Egonna the grandmother.Correct C. to be enrolled into school.D. to prepare for Port-Harcourt trip.E. to see Clement his blind father.Explanation Set text (Somayina).
"The village square had become a beehive of story lovers" means a ____
A. hiding place for bee lovers.B. meeting place for storytellers.Correct C. meeting place of bee lovers.D. place story-lovers reside.E. square where the villagers meet to gossip.Explanation A beehive is a busy gathering; the square is a meeting place for storytellers.
Mgbafor's school daughter fulfils her dreams by becoming a/an ____
A. doctorCorrect B. engineerC. entrepreneurD. lawyerE. nurseExplanation Set text (The Clock).
Mama Nwankwo is treated at St. ____ Specialist Hospital.
A. Joseph'sB. Maria'sCorrect C. Monica'sD. Paul'sE. Peter'sExplanation Set text (Stigma).
"The clouds racing swiftly" is an example of ____.
A. metaphorB. personificationCorrect C. punD. simileE. synecdocheExplanation Clouds are given the human action of racing: personification.
The term "mechanical parrot" in Jacob Ajaye's 'Mechanical Drum' means ____.
A. generatorB. grinding machineC. motorcycleD. musical drumCorrect E. talking drumExplanation Set text (poem).
The expression, "... sand and sound" in Niyi Osundare's 'Lokoja' is an example of ____.
A. alliterationCorrect B. assonanceC. metreD. rhymeE. rhythmExplanation Repeated initial 's' sound: alliteration.
The theme of G.O. Kayode's 'Modernity' is ____ change.
A. economicB. environmentalC. politicalD. societalCorrect E. technicalExplanation Set text (poem).
"The fearful and sweet one" in Rahila J. Diji's 'Wind' is an example of ____.
A. metaphorB. oxymoronCorrect C. paradoxD. punE. simileExplanation Fearful and sweet are contradictory terms together: oxymoron.
"Who dare shake those cold hands?" in Andrew Oiwona's 'Death' is an example of ____ question.
A. directB. indirectC. leadingD. objectiveE. rhetoricalCorrect Explanation It asks no real answer: rhetorical question.
The tone in Ajepe Olusegun's 'The Determined Miner' is that of ____.
A. angerB. disappointmentC. exhaustionCorrect D. fearE. harshnessExplanation Set text (poem).
The mood in Chigbo Ugwuoke's 'Diversity' is that of ____.
A. angerB. cautionC. hopeCorrect D. pityE. sorrowExplanation Set text (poem).
The theme in the 'The Nation's Paradox' by Abdullateef Ishowo is ____.
A. contentmentB. empowermentC. failed nationCorrect D. glorious nationE. hopeExplanation Set text (poem).
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