KUULCHAT
ENGLISH MOCK
From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.
1.
Foli and Adzovi hit it off quite well. This means they............
fight often
get on very well.
play as a team.
present good arguments.
Answer: B
2.
Their gardener was ..... old to work.
even
so
too
very
Answer: C
3.
The scarcity of doctors is a matter of public concern.
weakness
shortage
suffering
indiscipline
Answer: B
Synonyms (nearest in meaning) for scarcity
Dearth, drought, famine, inadequacy, insufficiency, lack, paucity, shortage, exiguity, infrequency, rareness, rarity, scantiness, sparsity, stringency, uncommonness, want
Antonyms (opposite in meaning) for scarcity
Abundance, enough, excess, plenty, sufficiency, commonness, surplus
4.
I was informed at the eleventh hour about his decision to leave town. This means that I heard it
very late.
at eleven o'clock.
immediately.
in good time.
Answer: A
The eleventh hour
The last moment or almost too late
5.
The new school is ideal for Mr. Mensah's children.
good
perfect
satisfactory
suitable
Answer: B
6.
Nimo worked hard after his business had collapsed and soon found his feet. This means that he............
bought a new fleet of cars.
could walk again.
revievd the business.
sold the rest of the business.
Answer: C
7.
Choose from the options A to D, the word that is most suitable to fill the gap
unlucky
disappointed
unfortunate
unsuccessful
Answer: D
8.
There was mayhem as the crowd scattered.
anger
fear
order
riot
Answer: C
9.
He said the practice was alien to him.
boring
new
modern
unfamiliar
Answer: D
10.
Kim is full of himself. This means that Kim is
arrogant.
dangerous.
greedy.
quarrelsome.
Answer: A
Full of oneself: to be very proud, arrogant or conceited, and think only of yourself
11.
We tried all we could to amuse her but she kept a straight face. This means that she
did not listen to us.
looked straight ahead.
refused to laugh.
cried all the more.
Answer: C
A straight face
A blank or serious facial expression, especially when trying not to laugh.
Example: My father kept a straight face when he joked.
12.
Whole grains are healthier than polished ones.
Gill
Goal
Gaul
Gaol
Answer: B
13.
It is good to get a cure for a disease, but it is better to ...... the disease.
prevent
protect
avoid
counter
Answer: A
14.
Jane fell ill............ measles.
at
by
of
with
Answer: D
15.
Asua had to eat his words when Asante Kotoko lost to Tano Bofoakwa FC.
This means that Asuo ......
admitted that he was wrong
denied everything he had said
became very ashamed
lost his appetite
Answer: A
Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
16.
We're so excited because Amuzu's proposal has been accepted.
suggestion
offer
opinion
view
17.
All the lax rules have been cancelled.
mild
previous
weak
wrong
Lax:not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful.
Mild: not severe, serious, or harsh
Lax nearest in meaning:mild,slack, slipshod, negligent, neglectful, remiss, careless, heedless, unmindful, inattentive, slapdash, offhand, casual, easy-going, lenient, permissive, soft, liberal, non-restrictive, indulgent, overindulgent, complaisant, over-tolerant, irresponsible, sloppy
18.
The youth should be ruled by the fundamental ideals of courtesy.
essential
known
popular
realistic
Fundamental nearest in meaning:basics, essentials, rudiments, foundations, basic principles, first principles, preliminaries, crux, essence, core, nucleus, heart, base
19.
Arming the police does not halt crime.
avoid
prevent
stop
suspend
Halt nearest in meaning:stop, come to a halt, come to a stop, come to a standstill, come to rest, pull up, draw up, stand still, draw to a stand, cease, finish
20.
The robbers ransacked the house.
torched
destroyed
invaded
looted
In each of the following sentences a group of words has been underlined. Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one that best explains the underlined group of words.
21.
Nimo worked hard after his business had collapsed and soon found his feet. This means that he............
bought a new fleet of cars.
could walk again.
revievd the business.
sold the rest of the business.
22.
Samantha's main problem is that she can see no further than her nose. This means that Samantha
lacks foresight.
is easily deceived.
has a long nose.
cannot think
See no further than the end of one's nose
a. to be short-sighted; have myopia
b. to lack insight or foresight
23.
Ammon has always kept his enemies at arm's length. This means that he
abused them
shunned them
threatened them
trusted them
At arm's length: avoid/shun intimacy or close contact.
24.
Aminu is full of himself. This means that Aminu is ......
arrogant
dangerous
greedy
quarrelsome
25.
Manna lay aside some money for Baaba's party. This means that Manna............
refused to host the party.
saved money for the party.
spent money on the party.
took a loan to organise the party.
From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word underlined in each sentence.
26.
The results will be released very soon.
withheld
confirmed
withdraw
cancelled
27.
We initiated several projects last year.
funded
completed
executed
organized
28.
The headteacher asked the pupils to disperse.
assemble
come
meet
stay
29.
The policeman was reported to have concealed the evidence, but ...... it to the Jury.
disclosed
gathered
found
planted
30.
Due to ongoing road construction, our shops have been temporarily closed down.
permanently
legally
deliberately
constantly
Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.
The new Headmistress of Beso Junior High School was impressed with the infrastructure and equipment in the school. She was also pleased with the staff and student population. However, one thing puzzled her. The students' performance was very poor, according to the records. She had a discussion with the staff who complained of student absenteeism due to ill health. A nurse in the community told her that the children were often under the weather.
They had malaria, although every family had been given insecticide-treated mosquito nets. It seemed however that the people did not use these nets as they should and therefore the numerous mosquitoes in the environment continued to bite them. While visiting some of the sick children in the community, the Headmistress noticed that there were several pits filled with water. At a general PTA meeting, she explained how mosquitoes could breed in the stagnant water in the pits. She also pointed out the effects of the poor health of the children on their academic performance. She then appealed for help to destroy the breeding places of the mosquitoes so that the children would become healthier and perform better in school.
Although some of the parents did not understand the connection between the water in the pits and the performance of the students, they agreed to help her. During the next dry season, work started. All hands were on deck. The people worked very hard and the pits were filled. Trees and flowers were planted on the reclaimed land. The community now looked more beautiful than before. Soon, the children's health improved and, later, their performance in the final examinations became better.
a)
Mention two things that Headmistress liked about the school.
b)
In which two ways did the children's poor health affect them?
c)
Why did the Headmistress involve the parents in solving the problem?
d)
i)
What made the community succeed in filling the pits?
ii)
What two benefits did the filling of the pits bring to the community?
e)
Explain, in your own words, the following expressions as used in the passage:
i)
... one thing puzzled her;
ii)
... often under the weather;
iii)
All hands were on deck.
f)
For each of the following words, give another word or a phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:
i)
noticed;
ii)
pits;
iii)
appealed;
iv)
perform;
v)
connection.
a)
1. The school had good/enough infrastructure/equipment.
2. The school had many/enough teachers/students.
b)
1. They were not regular in school/They were often absent from school.
2. They did not pass their examination/They performed poorly academically.
c)
It was a community problem/She and the staff could not have solved the problem on their own
OR
She wanted the work to be effectively done.
OR
She realized that the participation of the parents would yield better results.
d)
i)
Everybody took part in doing the work.
OR
Everybody worked very hard.
OR
All hands were on deck.
ii)
The community became healthier and more beautiful.
OR
The community had more trees/flowers.
OR
The children's health improved.
OR
The children's academic performance improved.
OR
The land was reclaimed.
e)
i)
one thing puzzled her
She was not clear about something.
OR
She did not understand something.
OR
She could not understand/explain something.
OR
She was baffled/perplexed (about something).
OR
She was confused.
ii)
often under the weather
fell ill from time to time/ were most of the time or frequently or regularly or most times indispose/ill/unwell/sick
iii)
All hands were on deck
Everybody was involved/ Everybody took (active) part in doing the work/ Everybody worked (very) hard/ the community was involved in doing the work/ Everybody participated in doing the work/ Everybody was involved in doing the work/Everybody helped.
f)
i)
noticed → saw/observed/realised/noted/discovered/found out/got to know/became aware/perceived/detected
ii)
pits → holes/choked ditches/gutters/gullies/ (abandoned/disused/old) quarries/trenches
iii)
appealed → asked/pleaded/begged/solicited/prayed/made a request/called
iv)
perform → do/work/learn/study/pass (examinations)
v)
connection → link/relationship/relation/correlation/linkage/inter-relationship/association/affinity/inter-connectedness
Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.
Ali set out the house that morning in high spirits knowing well that hw e was going to meet his childhood friend Kofi. He had heard that his friend was occupying a very high position in a reputable company. Kofi could hardly recognize Ali when the letter entered the former's office.
'So you can't recognize me, Kofi, your classmate, Sikakrom J.H.S? Does money blind people and erase their memory? Can ten short years change you so completely as to make you forget an intimate friend?'
Kofi then suddenly recognize him. 'Sorry, Ali. You've changed so much I couldn't make you out. Please, sit down. What can I do for you?
Ali reluctantly sat down. He admired Kofi's tidy office and person - the well-groomed hair, the attractive shirt and tie. Ali removed a small bottle from the breast pocket of his dust-covered shirt, poured out some white substance in his palm and sniffed it greedily.
Kofi noticed all that but suppressed his anger. 'I learn that luck has given you great wealth, Kofi' Ali said. 'Indeed, some people are lucky!' he added, and pulled out a crumpled cigarette and a box of matches.
'I'd rather you didn't come smoke here. I keep my air fresh,' Kofi politely ordered. Ali was shocked. 'Hei, Kofi, what a complete change! What bird must have lent you is wings for you to soar so high? Oh, Luck, you can really change people! Just ten short years!'
'Look here, Ali, leave luck out of this. I worked very hard hard for seven years to acquire a good degree and a job. I never relied on luck for success.'
(a) What did Ali expect as he left the house to meet Kofi?
(b) Why did Kofi fail to recognize Ali?
(c) What does the passage tell us about Ali's habits?
(d)I. According to Ali, what has made Kofi successful?
II. What actually helped Kofi to succeed?
(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:
I. in high spirits;
II. erase their memory;
III. I couldn't make you out.
(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:
I. reputable;
II. intimate;
III. tidy;
IV. attractive;
a)
He expected to be received warmly by Kofi.
OR
He expected a warm reception.
b)
Ali had changed completely/so much/a lot.
c)
i)
He smokes.
OR
He is a smoker.
ii)
He sniffs.
d)
i)
Luck
ii)
Hard work
e)
i)
in high spirits → very happy/excited
ii)
erase their memory → make them forget/make them forgetful.
iii)
I couldn't make you out → I couldn't recognize you.
f)
i)
reputable → respectable, well-known, famous, respected
ii)
intimate → close, very good
iii)
tidy → clean, neat, well-kept
iv)
attractive → beautiful, nice, fine
v)
acquire → get, obtain, secure, earn, have
The schools in your district recently held a sports competition. Describe what happened.
This is a descriptive essay.
Your essay must have the following features:
i. Title/heading
ii. Introduction
iii. Body
iv. Conclusion
Your friend who lives in another town thinks that school life is boring and wants to leave school to start petty trading. Write a letter to encourage him/her to remain in school. In the letter, discuss two aspects of school life that you find enjoyable.
Content
1. You are to write a letter to your friend, discussing two aspects of school life you find enjoyable and encouraging your friend to stay in school
2. You must write on all three parts(referring to the problem, discussing two aspects of school life that are enjoyable and encouraging your friend to stay in school) effectively to earn good mark.
Organization
This is an informal letter, and the following features are mandatory:
1. Your address and date
2. Salutation: Dear + first name of friend
3. Subscription: Yours sincerely/Yours/Your friend/Yours ever, etc.
4. Your first name
Expression
1. This is a letter to a friend; therefore, the language should be chatty to reflect the close relationship between you and your friend.
2. Contracted forms and slang are acceptable but should be controlled.
3. There should be a variety of sentence types.
Mechanical Accuracy
1. Your concord (subject-verb, noun-pronoun), tense, determiners, prepositions and punctuations must be accurate.
2. Your spelling must be accurate.
3. You can either use American or British spelling but must be consistent
4. Each sentence and proper noun should begin with a capital letter. Mark is deducted for using "i" instead of "I" for the first-person pronoun, etc.
Write a story that ends: I suddenly woke up and realised it was all a dream.
Content
This is an imaginative composition. The story/narration therefore can be real or imagined/imaginary. It could be your own experience or that of somebody else's or a story you've read or been told.
Organisation
A good story/narration should have a beginning, climax and a conclusion. It should have a clear setting and its events should be arranged in time sequence.
Expression
The language should be clear and easy to understand to make the actions of the characters come to life. The choice of vocabulary should be appropriate to the subject matter.
Note:You are not to write a fable i.e. a story with animal characters.