English Language 2012

2012 SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION W.A.S.S.C.E ENGLISH LANGUAGE 2 1hour OBJECTIVE TEST SECTION 1 

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence. 

1. Although the atmosphere was hostile, the meeting ended on ………. Terms. A. gentle B. unacceptable C. suspicious D. amicable 

2. The company had to ………. The restaurant in order to construct a hotel. A. demolish B. abandon C. damage D. relocate 

3. Five years ago the economy of our country was buoyant but nowadays it has become ………. A. profitable B. distressed C. unbeatable D. low 

4. We enjoy real stories not those that are ………. A. imaginary B. practical C. vague D. undefined 

5. Ann’s efficiency earned her promotion while Jane’s ………. Caused her dismissal. A. lateness B. capability C. incompetence D. laziness 

6. While Rashida’s business is flourishing, Ida’s is ………. A. declining B. diminishing C. vanishing D. withering 

7. Clara is full admiration for Lena but she treats me with ………. A. despair B. callousness C. carelessness D. disdain 

8. The contributions should be ………. Not compulsory  A. willful B. voluntary C. deliberate D. outright 

9. In those society, the ………. And the cultured lived together A. ignorant B. rich C. barbaric D. arrogant 

10. Some people live in abject poverty while others live in ………. A. affluence B. greatness C. fame D. peace 

SECTION 2 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences. 

11. When you ………. Someone’s point of view, you should do so politely. A. refute B. rebuke C. recall D. refuse 

12. One should ………. The land very well if one expects a bumper harvest. A. water B. dig C. cultivate D. clear 

13. His lecture was ………. And so the students did not understand it. A. indefinite B. illegible C. unintelligence D. unimpressive 

14. In Botany, one is bound to ………. Flowers. A. read B. know C. study D. examine 

15. Harry cannot do without his ………. Of short stories because he loves reading. A. file B. library C. collection D. dictionary 

16. Can you ………. The result of tomorrow’s match? A. conclude B. predict C. order D. certify 

17. The river ………. Across the plain A. rolled B. meandered C. trickled D. passed 

18. Since the army was no longer needed, it was ………. A. demolished B. dismantled C. disbanded D. fired 

19. It is most ………. That the company spent five million naira on that on that fragile fence. A. outstanding B. wonderful C. remarkable D. astonishing 

20. Matters that are confidential must not be made ………. A. public B. popular C. unreasonable D. uncertain 

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretations that you consider most appropriate for each sentence. 

21. The boy went scot-free though he insulted his teacher. This means that the boy was A. not punished B. free to move about C. expelled from school D. cautioned seriously 

22. The driver escaped death by a hair’s breadth. This means that the driver escaped death A. fast B. luckily C. surprisingly D. narrowly 

23. I am given a free hand to this business. This means that I  A. am allowed to make my own decisions B. make my own appointments C. assist the workers willingly D. alone can choose my executives 

24. In every good transaction, there should be some give-and-take. This means that A. transactions are about giving B. transactions give and take C. any gift should be accepted willingly D. people should be willing to make compromises 

25. That account of the incident is true to a degree. This means that the account is A. totally wrong B. not clear C. completely true D. partly true 

26. Moses won the contest hands down. This means that Moses won A. surprisingly B. very easily C. narrowly D. with difficulty 

27. They vowed to win the race by hook or by crook. This means that vowed to win by A. peaceful negotiations B. any possible means C. bribing the other competitors D. being honest 

28. Williams spent the first three months learning the ropes. This means that he A. pulled all the ropes that should be pulled B. learnt what the job demanded C. knew what to do D. was unwilling to learn 

29. Our teacher advised us not to go with the crowd This means that he advised us not to A. stay too much in the crowd B. travel in the crowd C. have many friends D. be unduly influence by others 

30. Although the men were foreigners, they were given preferential treatment. This means that the men were treated A. better than others B. with caution C. with respect D. very quickly 

SECTION 4 

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence. 

31. John bled profusely as a result of the accident A. slowly B. excessively C. extremely D. abundantly 

32. What you are suggesting is not feasible. A. capable B. practicable C. attractive D. easy 

33. Pa Bakary augmented his incime by selling firewood. A. saved B. preserved C. increased D. economized 

34. He plays the kora with dexterity. A. wisdom B. force C. pride D.skill 

35. The police could not apprehend all the gamblers. A. charge B. interrogate C. arrest D. prosecute 

36. Fafa has a conspicuous nose A. prominent B. flat C. battered D. pointed 

37. Many parents are upset by the laxity with which children treat academic work nowadays. A. repulsive B. constrained C. confused D. troubleld 

38. In order to keep the peace I had to retract my statement A. alter B. refine C. withdraw D. deny 

39. Their father is so vigilant that it is not possible for his children to play truant 

40. The principal endorsed my travelling documents without delay. A. corrected B. checked C. reviewed D. approved 

SECTION 5 

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences. 

41. Please, run ………. Fifty copies of this report for me. A. off B. on C. over D. out 

42. My father’s seventieth birthday ………. A celebration. A. is called for B. will be called for C. calls for D. call for 

43. Kojo succeeded in passing his examination ………. The odds he faced. A. regardless B. despite C. moreover D. however 

44. If the police had not intervened quickly, the suspected thief ………. By the mod. A. would have been killed B. would be killed C. will have been killed D. will be killed 

45. Harry hates ………. In suspense. A. been kept B. keeping C. being kept D. haven been kept 

46. We are not bound to believe all ………. He said. A. what B. which C. these D. that 

47. Margret forgot to buy ………. A. a trousers B. one trousers C. a pair of trousers D. plenty trousers 

48. He was charged ………. Stealing from the company’s safe. A. about B. in C. of D. with 

49. The teacher had hardly turned his back ………. The class became noisy. A. than B. when C. then D. hence 

50. The hardened criminal was convicted ………. Breaking into Danso’s house. A. with B. in C. of D. for 

51. This is Kunle’s handwriting; there ………. Be no argument about it. A. could B. couldn’t C. can D. can’t 

52. In Matamina no one is ………. The law. A. over B. within C. above D. outside 

53. Luckily, Frank arrived just ………. Time to catch the plane. A. by B. within C. to D. in 

54. Thos boys will have to blame ………. For not listening to advice. A. each other B. ourselves C. the other D. themselves 

55. This is not your book, it is ………. A. Andrew B. Andrew’s C. Andrews D. Andrews’ 

56. John said he had never ………. Insulted in his life A. so been B. been so C. being so D. so being 

57. I asked Penda to stand ………. For me since I could not attend the meeting. A. on B. aside C. in D. by 

58. Femi, Tom is Aka’s son, ……….? A. is he B. he is C. isn’t it D. isn’t he 

59. You will help me lift this box, ………. A. wont you B. would you C. can you D. could you 

60. Sally assisted me in buying my ………. Yesterday. A. very first party dress B. first very party dress C. party very first dress D. party dress first very 

61. The cook had ………. Oil and so could not prepare the soup. A. little B. small C. some D. much 

62. We will have to set up a ………. Panel to investigate this matter. A. seven men B. seven-men C. seven man D. seven-man 

63. The workers could not move the heavy stone ………. They tried. A. how much B. as much as C. no matter that D. however hard 

64. The friendly match will kick ………. At 4:00pm today as scheduled. A. up B. on C. of D. off 

65. The boys ………. Football when the teachers entered the class. A. are discussing B. were discussing C. will be discussing D. will discuss 

66. Our teacher is ………. To make such a mistake. A. too much intelligent B. intelligent too much C. much too intelligent D. too intelligent much 

67. Some people find it difficult not to give ………. To temptation. A. away B. over C. in D. off 

68. If your argument is not strong enough, you ………. Your claim to your father’s property. A. had forfeited B. would forfeit C. will forfeit D. have forfeited 

69. While he was in prison he had ………. Time to read a lot of books. A. ample B. real C. few D. most 

70. Anyone one wants to succeed in any endeavour should ………. His lazy habits. A. shake off B. shake down C. shake out D. shake in 

71. No sooner had they arrived ………. We left the hall. A. than B. when C. so D. therefore 

72. Any good newspaper will cater for the needs of the ………. Public. A. reader B. readers C. reading D. readable 

73. The little boy found it difficult to keep pace ………. His father. A. against B. by C. with D. over 

SECTION 6 

In the following passages, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below each passage, four choices are offered in columns lettered A to D. Choose the word that is the most suitable to fill the numbered gaps in the passages. 

PASSAGE A 

Fred loves the weekend because they afford him the opportunity to visit the popular -74- where his friend, the -75-, always allows him to go through the newspapers at no cost to him. There are usually many daily and weekly -76- of newspapers, magazine and journals on sale. Fred’s habit is quickly note from the -77- the papers that had arrived. Next, he glances at the -78- of the leading stories and then the -79- that are printed underneath the pictures on the front and back pages. Thereafter,  he decides on which one to read. He has his favourite -80- and he especially loves to read the -81- which are usually written by editors. He also enjoys the -82- sent in by the -83- journalists because he believes that they write objectively. The -84- sadden him that life is transient. However, whatever gloomies these bring about is quickly wiped away by the excitement from the -85- pages. These pages keep him informed of his favourite clubs, players and match fixtures. 

ABCD 

74. Newsagentnewsstandnewsletternewscast 

75. Vendorhawkertradermerchant 

76. Reprintimpressionsunitseditions 

77. Mastheadsnamesindextitle 

78. Topicstimelinesheadlineslayouts 

79. Copiessubscriptdocumentscaptions 

80. Extractscolumnscornerssections 

81. Featurespublicationseditorialsserials 

82. Articlesworksentrieswriting 

83. Amateurlayfreelancecarefree 

84. Obituariesdirgespicturesenteries 

85. Footballgamesrecreationsports 

PASSAGE B 

Last week Mrs, Coker took her sick daughter to the hospital. After examining her, the doctor said that the child didn’t have much -86- to the parasite, which the laboratory -87- discovered in her blood -88-. He advised her to the child the prescribed drugs and to keep out the flies that -89- the diseases. He told Mrs Coker that the disease was in it early -90- and that the obvious symptoms was the -91- of the eye membrane. This was caused by the trachoma virus, which could not be seen under a -92- because it is smaller than bacteria -93-. He made her realize that trachoma could cause blindness. Therefore Mrs. Coker should protect her family from this -94- disease. She should maintain a high standard of -95- by -96- her towels and face cloths. The doctors then wrote out a -97- of antibiotic drugs and tablets, which should be obtained from a -98-. He assured Mrs. Coker that the treatment he has prescribed would -99- the child to good -100- in two or three days. 

ABCD 

86. Resistancereactionoppositionenergy 

87. Operatortechniciannurseaide 

88. Sampletypegroupportion 

89. Maintaingivecarrydeliver 

90. Circumferencepositionsstepsstages 

91. Itchingenlargementinflammationgrowth 

92. Telescopeendoscopestethoscopemicroscope 

93. Organismsfungiverminpests 

94. Pervasivecontagiousdreadfulpotent 

95. Hygieneupkeeplivinghealth 

96. Sterilizingwashingcookingdrying 

97. Concoctionrecommendationdescriptionprescription 

98. Pharmacistscientistpractitionernurse 

99. Reviverestorerepaircure 

100. Standardstatehealthposition 

2012  PAPER 2 SOLUTIONS 

1. D2. A3. B4. A5. C6. A7. D8. B9. A10. A 

11. A12.C13.C14. C15.C16.B17. B18. C19. D20. A 

21. A22. D23. A24. D25. D26. B27. B28. B29. D30. A 

31. B32. B33. C34. D35. C36. A37. D38. C39. B40. D 

41. A42. C43. B44. A45. C46. D47. C48. D49. B50. D 

51. C52. C53. D54. D55. B56. B57. C58. D59. A60. A 

61. A62. D63. D64. D65. B66. B67. A68. C69. A70. C 

71. A72. C73. C74. B75. A76. D77. D78. C79.D80. B 

81. C82. A83. C84. A85. D86. A87. B88. A89. C90. D 

91. C92. D93. A94. C95. A96. B97. D98. A99. A100. C 

2012 PAPER 1 ESSAY SECTION A 

1. You have spent about six weeks in your new school. Write a letter to your father telling him about your experiences so far. 

2. Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the dangers of keeping bad company in school. 

3. Activities such as debates, drama and excursions are now rare in schools in your country. As the Senior Prefect, write a letter to your principal suggesting the revival of these activities and pointing out what students stand to gain from taking part in them. 

4. You are the Chief Speaker in a debate on the topic: Violent video games should be banned. Write your argument for  or against the topic. 

5. Write a story to illustrate  the saying: Where there is a will, there’s a way. 

2012 PAPER 3 TEST OF ORALS SECTION 1 

From the words A to D, choose the words that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. 

1. Market A. favourite B. seed C. margarine D. sell 

2. Many A. marry B. said C. lamb D. money 

3. Young A. blood B. bound C. found D. loud 

4. Doctor A. story B. trial C. alone D. toured 

5. Watch A. batch B. cot C. catch D. caught 

6. Cook A. pool B. pull C. cooled D. schooled 

7. Jaw A. shot B. short C. jam D. jack 

8. Coin A. doing B. coke C. boy D. course 

9. Sew A. dew B. go C. sane D. course 

10. People A. pie B. pole C. key D. pear 

11. Bar A. bat B. chat C. father D. arrow 

12. Heir A. here B. air C. ear D. hear 

13. Round A. fun B. road C. now D. brought 

14. Ear A. heard B. cheer C. fare D. bear 

15. High A. hill B. heel C. buy D. coat 

SECTION 2 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) underlined as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. 

16. Bent A. hitch B. catch C. think D.tin 

17. King A. knife B. know C. blink D. knew 

18. Sword A. keys B. star C. poise D. boys 

19. Chagrin A. challenge B. chemistry C. shell D. catch 

20. Shelf A. halves B. cough C. shell D. sheaves 

21. Both A. halves B. them C. theirs D. athlete 

22. Chocolate A. shock B. champagne C. choir D. latch 

23. Bail A. talk B. folk C. calm D. fall 

24. Breast A. marked B. folk C. calm D. fall 

25. Unite A. untie B. uncover C. you D. until 

26. Brain A. column B. bang C. banana D. sing 

27. Merge A. jerk B. game C. grease D. leg 

28. Flock A. physics B. phlegm C. calf D. block 

29. Locked A. look B. dull C. take D. keep 

30. Plait A. lump B. apply C. police D. prank 

SECTION 3 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word. 

31. Suite A. suit B. sweet C. suitor D. swim 

32. Punch A. tongue B. lunch C. lunge D. lung 

33. Whale A. where B. wail C. whelp D. well 

34. Sawed A. sawn B. swear C. sword D. swayed 

35. Unarmed A. unhinge B. unharmed C. unmanned D. unplug 

SECTION 4 

In each of the following questions, the main/primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters. From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress. 

36. Capitulate A. CA-pi-tu-late B. ca-PI-tu-late C. ca-pi-TU-late D. ca-pi-tu-LATE 

37. Decorative A. DE-co-ra-tive B. de-CO-ra-tive C. de-co-RA-tive D. de-co-ra-TIVE 

38. Technology A. TECH-no-lo-gy B. tech-NO-lo-gy C. tech-no-LO-gy D. tech-no-lo-GY 

39. Apologize A. A-po-lo-gize B. a-PO-lo-gize C. a-po-LO-gize D. a-po-lo-GIZE 

40. Captivating A. CAP-ti-va-ting B. cap-TI-va-ting C. cap-ti-VA-ting D. cap-ti-va-TING 

SECTON 5 

In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern. Identify the one with the different stress pattern and shade your answer in the usual way. 

41. A. matter B. enshrine C. elbow D. triumph 

42. A. gangster B. garnish C. garbage D. gazelle 

43. A. endurance B. enterprise C. familiar D. habitual 

44. A. governor B. eloquence C. genocide D. graffiti 

45. A. elegy B. fellowship C. elephant D. harmonious 

SECTION 6 

In each of the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters. From the questions lettered A to D, choose the one to which the given sentence is the appropriate answer. 

46. Jane borrowed her mother’s HAT for the party. A. Did Susan borrow her mother’s hat for the party? B. Did Jane steal her mother’s hat for the party? C. Did Jane borrow her father’s hat for the party? D. Did Jane borrow her mother’s dress for the party? 

47. The principal expect the TEACHER to be punctual for staff meetings. A. Does the proprietor expect the teachers to be punctual for staff meeting? B. Does the principal expect the student to be punctual for staff meeting? C. Does the principal expect the teachers to be late for staff meeting? D. Does the principal expect the teachers to be punctual for school meeting? 

48. Salamatu believed she would PASS the Commerce examination. A. Did Aisha believe she would pass the Commerce examination? B. Did Salamatu believe she would fail the Commerce examination? C. Did Salamatu believe she would pass the Biology examination? A. Did Salamatu believe she would pass the Commerce test? 

49. Her beauty enslaved many YOUNG men. A. Did his beauty enslave many young men? B. Did her ugliness enslave many young men? C. Did her beauty enslave few young men? D. Did her beauty enslave many old men? 

50. His FIRST performance as a musician was a complete failure. A. Was her first performance as a musician a complete failure? B. Was his last performance as a musician a complete failure? C. Was her first performance as a teacher a complete failure? A. Was his first performance as a musician a partial failure? 

SECTION 7 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol. 

51. /e/ A. week B. leap C. many D. receive 

52. /i/ A. meal B. wanted C. reel D. fight 

53. /ӕ/ A. plait B. mate C. came D. father 

54. /ͻ:/ A. cot B. claw C. young D. plough 

55. /Ʌ/ A. money B. shirt C. word D. sword 

56. /ʤ/ A. go B. soldier C. occasion D. treasure 

57. /ϴ/ A. these B. those C. think D. three 

58. /Ʒ/  A. misery B. zoo C. church D. leisure 

59. /tʃ/ A. sachet B. child C. chef D. ocean 

60. /ʃ/ A. scoop B. cheque C. measure D. lash