BECE 2015 English Language Essay - Paper 2 (Second Sitting)

BECE 2015 – JUNE (Second Sitting)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE – ESSAY WRITING (Paper 2)

1 hour

This paper consists of two parts: A and B. Answer two questions in all; one question from Part A and all the questions in Part B.

Your composition should be about 250 words long.

Credit will be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation of material.

PART A

ESSAY WRITING [30 MARKS]

Answer one question only from this part

1. You have won a scholarship to study abroad. Write a letter to your friend telling him or her Write a letter to the Presiding Member of your district assembly telling him or her about two of the achievements of your community over the last five years and the plans for the future.

2. Your friend has informed you that his or her uncle has decided not to look after him or her in school anymore. Write to your friend's uncle giving him at least two reasons why he should change his mind.

3. Write arguments for or against the topic: It is more advantageous to live in the village than in the city.

PART B

COMPREHENSION [30 marks]

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

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 rodents 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, he 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 destroyed. Sentu wept uncontrollably.

When he reached 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 task was simple. Tutu had asked them to apologise 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?

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

(b) (i) What does 'pests' refer to?

(ii) Why did the writer refer to the pests as 'his enemies'?

(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;