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.

Ogboo was a very successful business man. He owned a fleet of vehicles. He was very generous and highly respected in his village. His children were very dear to him but he did not pamper them. He considered some modern gadgets dangerous, too expensive and a way of encouraging laziness among children. Therefore, no labour-saving gadgets were found in the kitchen. He insisted that food tasted better when prepared in the traditional way. He was also his children's barber.

At school, his children were the only pupils who received letters, popularly called snail mail. Akwesi, his eldest child, was always the object of ridicule among his peers. He patiently bore all the humiliation. When he completed school and his father made him manage his business, he decided to do things differently. He bought a cellular phone for his mother and equipped the house with modern gadgets. He also installed tracking devices on his father's vehicles and insisted on the drivers using mobile money transfer services. He swore the drivers to secrecy.

In an era when car snatching, drivers cheating their employers and armed robbery were the order of the day. Ogboo's transport business continued to flourish. He seemed to be insulated against theft. This amazed everyone. Soon, tongues began to wag. Ogboo was accused of possessing magical powers. Others insinuated that he was in leaque with the armed robbers. People shunned his company. One day, at a meeting organized by the transport owners, Akwesi let the cat out of the bag.

The tiger, the chectah and the cat belong to the same family. The tiger is the largest member of the family. Although it is a wild animal, it is sometimes trained to assist acrobatic in entertaining people. The chectah is the fastest animal on land. It can be trained to hunt other animals. Cats are found in many homes but there are wild ones too.

Although cats are found in many homes, man did not intentionally domesticate them. Before man learnt to grow crops and rear animals, he used to depend on plants and animals in the bush for food. When he gathered grains, which were seeds of grass, he accidentally took away the food of the rodents such as mice and rats. These followed their foods indoors. The wild cat, the natural enemy of the rats and mice, also followed the the domestic granaries

Cats did not eat the grains that were becoming the main source of nourishment for man. Therefore, they were encouraged to remain at home in order to get rid of the rodents. Man, also probably found out that cats were neater and quieter than dogs.

When ships were invented and man began to trade farther, grains were very important commodities. They were used not only as provisions but as items of barter. The mice and the rats went along, once again followed by the cats. In this way, a food chain that began in grasslands to the south and east Mediterranean Sea has spread to all corners of the world.

The academic performance of students in the olden days was golden. Students knew the essence of education and made efforts to achieve excellence. Reading whatever material, they came across not only helped thier mental development but also made them self-reliant and confident. Students burn the midnight oil in order to make grades and to come out of the school as better people.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of students today. Whatever students achieved in the past is considered archaic. The emergence of improver technology has bedevilled the society. Students prefer staying in touch with friends and loved ones. The use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram, has taken over their entire being. Reading useful materials like dailies, storybooks and others is now a thing of the past.

The negative influence of social media has deprived students of achieving excellence. Examination malpractices, mass failure in examination and bad language have become the order of the day.

Modern technology has its own benefits. In addition to serving as a great tool for businesses, it enables students to access informations easily. What is more, it enables easy interactions between friends and loved ones. As much as these are important, students should realise that, without good moral practices, education and reading, the future remains blurred. Students can eradicate the negative effects of modern technology has on them if only they remain focussed on their academic work.

(a) State two benefits of reading mentioned in the passage.

(b) For what two reasons did students study late into the night in the past?

(c) State two benefits of modern technology.

(d) How can students get rid of the harmful influence of social media?

(e) Explain in your own words the following expressions as used in the passage:

I. Burn the midnight oil;

II. Taken over their being;

III. The order of the day.

(f) For each of of the following words, give another word of a phrase that means the same, and can fit into the passage:

I. golden;

II. excellence;

III. archaic;

IV. blurred;

V. eradicate.

Friends are meant to help each other when the need arises. At school, some people develop friendly relationships which continue throughout their lives. One thing which helps people to stay together as intimate friends is the ability to communicate freely among themselves and endeavour to be each other's keeper. What destroys friendships mostly is friends being suspicious of each other. That is why a popular adage says, "Suspicious is the bane of friendship".

People attend school not only because they want to make friends but also to acquire knowledge and skills for employment. Education helps people to be polished in their manners. The school prepares its students to become useful citizens.

At school, Tono was not in good books of the teachers because he behaved in an unruly manner. Initially, everyone avoided his company; he could be violent at times. Worst of all, he would refuse todo his assignment and was a habitual late comer. With the passage of time, he was subjected to strict discipline. He began to amend his ways and obey the school's rules and regulation. He realised the need to work diligently in order to have a bright future. His academic work there improved by leaps and bounds.

Fortune separated us. I travelled abroad for further studies. I stay away for two decades. On my return, I went to my former school for my certificate. There, I met a middle-age gentleman who also came to the office for the same purpose. I could not recognize him because time had wiped off all memories of school life. However, the names on the certificates revealed that we were classmates.

After further discussion, Tono invited me to his business partner.

(a)I. State one thing which helps people to be close.

(a)II. How can friendships get destroyed?

(b) Give two reasons why people go to school.

(c)I. Why did people avoid Tono's company?

(c)II. State Tono's reason for visiting his former school.

(d) Why could the writer not recognise Tono?

(e) Explain in your own words the following expressions as used in the passage:

(i) was not in the good books of the teachers;

(ii) with the passage of time;

(iii) by leaps and bounds.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word of a phrase that means the same, and can fit into the passage:

(i) intimate;

(ii) adage;

(iii) acquire;

(iv) polished;

(v) initially.

When Pozo adopted Abate and Ali, he vowed to take great care of them. And he did his best. But Abate and Ali did exactly what they were told not to. Their greatest passion was snail-hunting.

As he left home for an important meeting one afternoon, Pozo told the boys that he would be particularly pleased if they did not join any snail-hunting group or go snail-hunting by themselves. He even promised surprise presents if they abstained from snail-hunting for once. It was quite obvious to everyone that there would be snail-hunting there had been a heavy downpour that morning.

Pozo's meeting was marathon. When he arrived home at 8:30 that night, neither of the boys was at home. He felt that something grave might have happened. He stood still for some time confused. He switched on his radio and tuned in to his favorite station, Hiawa FM and the breaking news was: "Five snail-hunters have been run over at Yaaboi by the early early evening in-coming Desuano-bound train." As the dreadful news hit him, Pozo winced.

Pozo was so stupefied that he did not notice Ali enter the house, sweating and breathlesscarrying a head-load of nails. But where was Abate?

Furtively, the back door squeaked open. In stole the other boy, also sweating and breathless under the weight of the head-load of snails. On seeing him, Pozo sighed relieved. He shook his head. "These boys will surely be the death of me", he murmured to himself. "When will they do exactly as they are told?"

(a)I. Why was Pozo taking care of the boys?

II. Why do you think Pozo did not want the boys to go snail-hunting?

(b) State two reasons why Pozo was sure that the boys would go snail-hunting.

(c) What is the meaning of the sentence, "Pozo's meeting was a marathon"?

(d)I. Why was Pozo so worried when he returned from the meeting?

II. How did the news of the rail accident affect Pozo?

(e) Explain in your own words the following expressions as used in the passage;

I. have been run over;

II. in stole the other boy;

III. be the death of me

(f) For each of the following words, give another word of a phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:

I. vowed

II. passion

III. abstained

IV. grave

V. breathless

My desire to win gold and also see the sea drove me to a small coastal village. Though I had little food and drink, I covered a great distance. Towards dusks, I could sight the sea from a distance. I was really excited. Its immensesize stretched as far as the eyes could see.

As the stars appeared in the sky, I ascended the hill and saw the village of my quest. I was dead with fatigue. To worsen my plight, there were blisters on my heel so I had to take a rest. But as I descended the hill, I was welcomed by the quietness of the place.

The villagers were enjoying the cool evening air. From the lagoon came the croaking of frogs. Children played and ran about excitedly. The village life was natural and simple. I sat on a bench close by. How good it was to rest!

I resolved to rest on the bench. As I lay there, a sheet of mist rolled in from the sea and settled upon the village. In a few minutes, the village was filled with mist and everybody was running helter-skelter. I was drenched to the skin. I had decided to move to the next village when a woman suddenly walked up to me. For some time I had seen her gazing at me with pity. Now, as if she read my thoughts, she said, "If you would accept my hospitality, you will be sheltered till the morning. Just charity." She was about thirty years of age, dressed in black with a pale face and a dark eyes.

Papaye hut held special appeal for its serene environment. For many days, I was well catered for and his enabled me to replenish my energy. It was with a heavy heart, when the time for departure arrived, that I bade farewell to my benefactress.

(a) State why the writer went to the coast.

(b)I. How did the writer find life in the village?

II. Why did the writer decide to go to the next village?

(c)I. "............ my plight." What does this refer to?

II. "............ everybody was running helter-skelter". What do you think had happened?

(d)I. What two adjectives would you use to describe the character of the woman?

II. What does the appearance of the woman suggest?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:

I. drenched to the skin;

II. she read my thoughts;

III. with a heavy heart.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same, and can fit into the passage:

I. immense;

II. ascended;

III. resolved;

IV. serene;

V. replenish.

One major cause of environment degradation in Ghana is gold mining. In the name of natural resource development, land is given to mining companies owned by foreigners. These foreigners milk the country dry and destroy the heritage of the people.

From the vast concessions granted them by the government, they extract the gold, destroy the rivers and other water bodies in the communities before going home, leaving the land worthless. Yet their operations are legal.

Approved mining is, however, not the sole gold mining activity. There is also what is regarded as unauthorized mining, called galamsey. In this enterprise, adventurous Ghanaians set out to do private mining as a livelihood. They dig up the earth with tools that are not as sophisticated as those of foreigners who also dig for the precious metal.

Mining activities destroy the environment. So far, it appears that nothing can be done to reclaim the land degraded by miners; the damage is irreversible. Vast tracts of arable land have become desolate mounds because of gold digging. Nothing can grow where galamsey has taken place.

Besides, the main water sources of communities have been polluted by the activities of both legal and illegal miners. The gold extracted from dirt requires cleaning with chemicals and rinsing in water. By the time the gold searchers succeed in producing a glittering handful, large stretches of rivers, ponds of water and some lakes have become poisoned.

Pollution leaves little drinking water for man and beast. Fishes die and human contract various diseases.

(a) Name the types of mining activities discussed in the passage.

(b)I. Which groups of people engage in mining?

(b)II. Why does government give licences to miners?

(c) How are the people and the land affected by the mining activities?

(d)I. How does the writer feel about mining?

(d)II. Why does the writer think that nothing can be done about the effects of mining?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:

I. milk the country dry;

II. leaving the land worthless.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase, that means the same, and can fit into the passage:

I. vast;

II. sole;

III. reclaim;

IV. mounds;

V. glittering.

The dry season was very long. The people waited anxiously for the rains to plant their seeds. The rain clouds that appeared occasionally were deceptive. To while away the time, they wove baskets and kente; others carved stools or sat under trees, playing games and drinking palm wine.

Sentu and his family were on the verge of starvation. They had just one cassava farm left to feed on. The maize in the barn was all gone. In fact, they had started eating the seed maize. Sentu kept wondering how he would get seeds to plant when the rainy season eventually started. He went to inspect the traps he had set for the rodent that had been feasting on the cassava. If the traps caught any animals, it would be a double blessing; he would get meat and reduce the population of 'his enemies', the pests. While inspecting his traps, h saw some smoke. He dashed towards it. He tried to put out the fire but could not. He shouted for help. In a twinkling of an eye, the whole farm had been destroy. Sentu wept uncontrollably.

When he raeched the village, his neighbours rushed to his house to console him. They gave him foodstuff and promised to help him get back on his feet. Tutu, the palm-wine tapper, visited Sentu that evening. He was accompanied by two elderly and highly respected men in the village. Their mission was simple. Tutu had asked them to apologize to Sentu on his behalf. It was the fire from Tutu's torch that had caused the havoc and brought such agony to Sentu's family. What could Sentu do or say?

(a)I. What was the main occupation of the people?

(a)II. State two other things they did that could earn them an income.

(b)I. What does 'pests' refer to?

(b)II. Why did the writer refer to the pests as 'his enemies'?

(c)I. How did Sentu feel when his farm was burnt?

(c)II. Why did he feel that way?

(d) For what two reasons did Tutu choose the elderly and highly respected men to accompany him to visit Sentu?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words.

I. a double blessing;

II. wept uncontrollably;

III. get back on his feet.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage;

I. anxiously;

II. deceptive;

III. dashed;

IV. mission;

V. agony.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

Fatimeh was always silent. She learnt a lot within a short time. In one month, she could milk cows, separate butter and cheese from the milk, ferment the milk and cook nearly as well as Rikku's mother. At first, she went with Rikku's mother to hawk the sour milk, she was beginning to find her way to and from town.

Fatimeh was always chewing tobacco flower and so her lips, teeth and gums became red. Hodio noticed that her looks had improved since she came to live with family, her skin was smooth and shiny; she had also put on more flesh.

Towards nightfall, when Fatimeh came home, she would take a pot and go down to the stream where she bathed and drew water. Sometimes, she went with Leibe or Shaitu; she was never alone.

One evening, Hodio followed Fatimeh quietly to the stream when the place was quiet and he could hear the sound of his own footsteps on the dusty road. When he caught up with Fatimeh, he suggested to her to run away with him because he loved he dearly and wanted her to be his wife. Fatimeh refused. She knew very well that, as a slave, she could never hope to marry a freeborn and proud Fulani like Hodio Sunsaye.

Hodio did not give up. He spoke to her again. He tried to persuade her to run away with him and live in a town where no one cared about tradition and custom. Eventually, Fatimeh agreed to consider his proposal.

Hodio's father, old Sunsaye, was the first person who missed Fatimeh. He called his wife, Shaitu, and asked her if she has seen Fatimeh. She replied in the negative. He asked Rikku and Leibe. No one could tell him where Hodio and Fatimeh were. They then looked behind the hut; the horse was not there.

(a) What two things did the girl learn to do in one month?

(b) Give two adjectives that describe Fatimeh as presented in the firdt paragraph.

(c) What was HOodio's main reason for following Fatimeh to the stream?

(d) Fatimeh refused.

I. What did Fatimeh refuse to do at first?

II. Why did she refuse Hodio's proposal?

(e) Why did Hodio want to live in a town?

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:

I. silent;

II. sour;

III. improved;

IV. drew;

V. proposal.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

Nobody wanted Ananse to succeed in drinking the cup of hot water and win, Adiefe, the Chief's beautiful daughter.

Ananse grabbed the cup of hot water, bowed as gracefully as possible and smiled confidently. He lifted the cup and said, slowly and calmly, 'Nana, look...................!' Nana Apo barked, 'yes, it's hot. Drink it right now!' But Ananse kept a cool head. Then, in the full glare of all present, he shook the cup vigorously for some time in order to cool its content. After this, he began to sip the now-lukewarm water as if it was still hot. Between the sips, the pain he seemed to be going through made him frown. He shut the left eye and his right eye shone brightly. He deliberately let his left hand drop loosely by his side.

Nana Apo smiled. Queen Amola grinned. Adiefe giggled-all in happy anticipation of Ananse's failure.

Suddenly Ananse began to drink the warm water more quickly and noisily. Soon, all was gone. He turned the cup upside down towards Nana and, indeed, there was not a single drop in it. Lo and behold, Kweku Ananse, the notorious trickster, had succeeded where all others has failed. There was complete silence. Even the wind seemed to have stopped blowing. The impossible had happened and people's expectation that Kweku Ananse would lose the contest had failed. Eventually, Kweku Ananse's victory had won him the hand of the pretty Princess, Adiefe.

Nana Apo and Queen Amola, with great relunctace, led their daughter, Adiefe, and handed her over to victorious Kweku Ananse.

(a) What was the attitude of the people present before the contest?

(b) Why do you think Ananse shook the cup?

(c) State the three tricks Ananse used to show that he was in pain.

(d)I. Why did Ananse turn the cup upside down?

II. What was the mood of Nana Apo and Queen Amola in the end?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:

I. 'Ananse kept a cool head'

II. 'all was gone'

III. 'The impossible had happened'

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:

I. grabbed;

II. barked;

III. deliberately;

IV. Eventually;

V. pretty.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

Cholera is a very dangerous disease which can kill many people within a short time. Indeed, it has ruined several communities particularly in the developing countries. It must therefore be prevented at all cost.

The disease is general spread by germs which thrive in filthy and unhygienic areas. There could be an outbreak of cholera when drinking water becomes polluted by floods after a downpour. Human carriers also cause the disease to spread from place to place. For example, a person carrying the cholera germs would vomit or pass frequent stools. Flies would then carry the germs on their hairy legs and deposit them on exposed food or in water. When a person eats this contaminated food or drinks the polluted water, he or she is likely to contract the disease unknowingly.

On the whole, the main symptoms of cholera are severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which may result in loss of weight. The stool tends to be watery. As a lot of fluid is lost from the body, the patient quickly becomes dehydrated, thin and weak. The rapid loss of body fluid can soon result in death, unless the lost fluid is replaced immediately.

The first thing for the patient to do is replenish as much fluid as is lost by taking, from time to time, boiled water which has been allowed to cool and mixed with salt and sugar. Then, he should seek medical attention.

(a) Where do cholera germs usually breed?

(b) Mention the two main carriers of cholera germs.

(c)I. State the two signs of cholera.

II. Give one effect of the disease.

(d) What advice does the writer give to the cholera patient?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:

I. it has ruined several communities;

II. at all cost;

III. after a downpour.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:

I. thrive;

II. deposit;

III. rapid;

IV. replenish;

V. seek.

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;

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

When I was about eleven years old, I was unable to stay at one place for long; I was always on the move. Many people thought and said I was troublesome. Prominent among those who described me as such was my aunt, Araba Oboshea.

Aunt Araba was particularly mean. She would sit on her stool under the gum tree in front of the house and wait for me to return from wherever i had gone. As soon as I arrived she would call me and, without asking me any question or telling me anything, take my left ear between the forefinger and the thumb of her right hand and give my ear a silence, violent twist. I cannot describe the pain I endured. She would do the same to my right ear. She explained that she was paying for my absence that I had sold to her! Aunt Araba would continue to twist both ears of mine simultaneously with her forefingers and thumbs.

I would scream silently, gritting my teeth so that I could not not utter any sound because of pain. That way I was spared the next stage of being given countless strokes of any stick she could lay hands on. One strange thing about Aunt Araba was that she would never hit me with her hands.

Aunt Araba went on treating me this way because she could hardly understand why I was always on the move. I could also not have the courage to explain why it was so because I was afraid of her and began to hate her.

On Thursday evening when I was going through my usual ordeal, an elderly man, Agya Manu who usually visited her appeared on the scene. He pleaded with her to leave me, and asked for the reason for such punishment. After he had been told my 'sin', Agya Manu, who knew me very well, explained to my auntie that I was always on the move not because I was in any bad company, but because I was the favourite for the errand. I had been running several errands for him and many other people. Agya Manu then advised me not to spend all my time running errands for others but rather, do all my duties at home.

(a) What was the writer's behaviour when he was about eleven years old?

(b) ..................I was always on the move.

What is the meaning of this expression?

(c) From the passage, what is the character of Aunt Araba?

(d) Why did Aunt Araba keep punishing the writer?

(e) How did Agya Manu rescue the writer?

(f) For each of the following words, give one word or phrase which means the same:

I. endured;

II. countless.