BECE - Basic Education Certificate Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which prophet in the Old Testament was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire without experiencing physical death?

Elijah (Correct answer)
Isaiah
Enoch
Elisha

Correct answer: Elijah

Elijah the Tishbite was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire and horses of fire, as recorded in 2 Kings 2:11.

Question 2: What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

10% (Correct answer)
50%
90%
1%

Correct answer: 10%

Only about 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level; the rest is lost as heat through metabolic processes.

Question 3: Which expression represents 'five more than twice a number k'?

5k + 2
2(k + 5)
5 − 2k
2k + 5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2k + 5

'Twice a number' is 2k; 'five more than' means add 5, giving 2k + 5.

Question 4: What does 'www' stand for in a web address?

Web World Wide
Wide Web World
World Web Wireless
World Wide Web (Correct answer)

Correct answer: World Wide Web

WWW stands for World Wide Web, the global system of interlinked web pages and resources accessed via the internet.

Question 5: What is the function of the ribosomes in a cell?

Energy production
DNA replication
Waste removal
Protein synthesis (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Protein synthesis

Ribosomes are cell organelles responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA sequences.

Question 6: Which sentence shows correct use of an em dash?

She packed — everything — she — needed.
She — packed everything she needed.
She packed everything, she needed — and more.
She packed everything she needed — sunscreen, a towel, and water. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She packed everything she needed — sunscreen, a towel, and water.

An em dash introduces a list or explanatory phrase that follows a complete independent clause.

Question 7: What is the role of NADPH produced during the light reactions of photosynthesis?

It carries electrons to the Calvin cycle (Correct answer)
It absorbs sunlight directly
It pumps protons across the membrane
It splits water molecules

Correct answer: It carries electrons to the Calvin cycle

NADPH acts as an electron carrier, transporting high-energy electrons from the light reactions to the Calvin cycle.

Question 8: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?

13th Amendment (Correct answer)
14th Amendment
19th Amendment
15th Amendment

Correct answer: 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States.

Question 9: Which Old Testament figure was famous for his extraordinary patience while enduring great suffering and loss?

Job (Correct answer)
Elijah
Jeremiah
Isaiah

Correct answer: Job

Job is the biblical figure celebrated for his patience and faithfulness to God despite losing his family, wealth, and health.

Question 10: What does the suffix '-tion' or '-sion' usually indicate about a word?

That the word is an adjective describing a quality
That the word is an adverb modifying another word
That the word is a noun referring to an action or state (Correct answer)
That the word is a verb describing an ongoing action

Correct answer: That the word is a noun referring to an action or state

The suffixes '-tion' and '-sion' are used to form nouns that refer to an action, process, or state, such as 'education,' 'creation,' or 'revision.'

Question 11: Two forces of 8 N and 6 N act on an object in perpendicular directions. What is the resultant force?

10 N (Correct answer)
48 N
2 N
14 N

Correct answer: 10 N

Resultant = √(8² + 6²) = √(64 + 36) = √100 = 10 N.

Question 12: Solve for x: 2x − 6 = 10

x = 4
x = 2
x = 6
x = 8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x = 8

Add 6 to both sides: 2x = 16, then divide by 2: x = 8.

Question 13: What is the term for the removal of a public official from office through a formal legislative process?

Referendum
Impeachment (Correct answer)
Veto
Filibuster

Correct answer: Impeachment

Impeachment is the constitutional process by which a legislative body formally charges a government official with misconduct, potentially leading to removal.

Question 14: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

I love reading; however, I rarely have time for it. (Correct answer)
I love reading; and writing.
I love reading; because it improves vocabulary.
I love; reading and writing.

Correct answer: I love reading; however, I rarely have time for it.

A semicolon before a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore) is the correct usage.

Question 15: Which of the following is an example of an input device?

Printer
Keyboard (Correct answer)
Speaker
Monitor

Correct answer: Keyboard

A keyboard is an input device because it allows users to enter data and commands into the computer.

Question 16: A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 5 cm. What is its area?

17 cm²
34 cm²
60 cm² (Correct answer)
120 cm²

Correct answer: 60 cm²

Area of a rectangle = length × width = 12 × 5 = 60 cm².

Question 17: Prophet Muhammad was known by the title 'Al-Amin' even before he received his first revelation. What does this title mean?

The Wise One
The Strong One
The Trustworthy (Correct answer)
The Chosen One

Correct answer: The Trustworthy

The title 'Al-Amin' means 'The Trustworthy' or 'The Faithful'. Prophet Muhammad earned this name among the people of Mecca because of his impeccable character, honesty, and reliability in all his dealings long before his prophethood.

Question 18: In reading comprehension, what is the 'main idea' of a passage?

The central point the author is making throughout the passage (Correct answer)
The first sentence of the passage
The conclusion stated in the last paragraph
The most interesting detail in the passage

Correct answer: The central point the author is making throughout the passage

The main idea is the central, overarching point or argument that the author develops throughout the entire passage.

Question 19: Which sentence correctly uses 'who' versus 'whom'?

Who did she call?
To who did she speak?
Whom did she call? (Correct answer)
Whom is calling?

Correct answer: Whom did she call?

'Whom' is correct because it is the object of the verb 'call' (she called whom?).

Question 20: In traditional African society, what is the role of the 'Okyeame' or 'linguist' in religious and political settings?

A healer who cures diseases
A spokesperson who communicates royal and sacred messages (Correct answer)
A judge who settles land disputes
A warrior who leads battles

Correct answer: A spokesperson who communicates royal and sacred messages

The Okyeame (linguist) serves as an eloquent spokesperson and intermediary who communicates messages between a chief or religious leader and the people.

Question 21: What is the atomic number of an element?

The total mass of the atom
The number of neutrons in the nucleus
The number of electrons in the outer shell
The number of protons in the nucleus (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The number of protons in the nucleus

The atomic number is the number of protons in an element's nucleus and uniquely identifies each element on the periodic table.

Question 22: How many atoms are present in one molecule of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)?

7 (Correct answer)
8
5
4

Correct answer: 7

H₂SO₄ contains 2 hydrogen + 1 sulfur + 4 oxygen = 7 atoms total per molecule.

Question 23: Which New Testament figure was originally a persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus?

Peter
Paul (Correct answer)
Stephen
Barnabas

Correct answer: Paul

Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) was zealously persecuting Christians until he encountered a blinding light and the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Question 24: If 3(m + 2) = 21, what is the value of m?

5 (Correct answer)
7
3
9

Correct answer: 5

m + 2 = 7, so m = 5.

Question 25: What value of x satisfies 2x + 7 = 15?

8
4 (Correct answer)
11
3

Correct answer: 4

2x = 15 − 7 = 8, so x = 4.

Question 26: Which of the following best describes a 'totalitarian' government?

A government where citizens vote freely and regularly
A system where a single authority controls all aspects of public and private life (Correct answer)
A democracy with multiple political parties
A government led by elected representatives

Correct answer: A system where a single authority controls all aspects of public and private life

Totalitarianism is a system where the state holds complete authority over society, suppressing opposition and controlling citizens' lives.

Question 27: What is the total surface area of a cube with side length 6 cm?

72 cm²
216 cm² (Correct answer)
144 cm²
36 cm²

Correct answer: 216 cm²

A cube has 6 identical faces; total surface area = 6 × s² = 6 × 36 = 216 cm².

Question 28: "The trees whispered secrets to the wind as night fell." What literary device is illustrated?

Onomatopoeia
Personification (Correct answer)
Hyperbole
Alliteration

Correct answer: Personification

Personification gives human qualities (whispering secrets) to non-human things (trees).

Question 29: How much money did Nicole save if she just spent 20% of her food budget in May 2001, rather than the full 25%?

$150.12
$165.22
$131.10 (Correct answer)
$140.30

Correct answer: $131.10

Nicole saved the difference between 25% and 20% of her food budget, which is 5% of her food budget. The question implies that the correct answer option represents this 5% saving. If the saving was $131.10, then 5% of her food budget is $131.10. This means her total food budget was $131.10 / 0.05 = $2622. Spending 20% ($524.40) instead of 25% ($655.50) of this budget results in a saving of $131.10.

Question 30: All of the following are renewable resources EXCEPT

trees
crude oil (Correct answer)
water
sunlight

Correct answer: crude oil

Crude oil is a fossil fuel, which is a non-renewable resource. It was formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years and cannot be replaced within a human lifespan. Sunlight, trees (which can be replanted), and water (which is replenished through the water cycle) are all considered renewable resources.

Question 31: A community located at the foot of a hill has recently started experiencing frequent, severe flooding and soil erosion during the rainy season. Which human activity is the most probable cause of this problem?

Establishing a community fish pond.
Building a new school in the village centre.
Starting a backyard gardening project.
Extensive cutting down of trees on the hillside for firewood and charcoal. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Extensive cutting down of trees on the hillside for firewood and charcoal.

This activity is an example of deforestation. The roots of trees and other vegetation hold the soil together and help absorb rainwater. When trees are cut down, especially on a slope, the soil becomes loose and is easily washed away by rain (erosion). The increased water runoff, no longer slowed by the forest, rushes down the hill, causing floods in the community below.

Question 32: In a food chain, which organism converts solar energy into chemical energy?

Producer (Correct answer)
Decomposer
Herbivore
Carnivore

Correct answer: Producer

Producers (plants and algae) perform photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Question 33: "The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the warm kitchen, mingling with cinnamon." This passage primarily uses:

Metaphor
Imagery (Correct answer)
Personification
Irony

Correct answer: Imagery

Imagery uses sensory details (smell, warmth) to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Question 34: All of the following are important for promoting national unity in Ghana EXCEPT

Focusing only on the development of one's own ethnic group (Correct answer)
Fostering a spirit of loyalty to Ghana that overrides ethnic loyalties
Participating in national events and respecting national symbols
Promoting respect for the rights and freedoms of others

Correct answer: Focusing only on the development of one's own ethnic group

National unity is built by fostering a sense of common identity and purpose. Focusing solely on one's own ethnic group promotes division and works against the principle of national integration. The other options are all positive actions that help to unify a diverse country like Ghana.

Question 35: A triangle has a base of 10 cm and a height of 8 cm. What is its area?

18 cm²
20 cm²
80 cm²
40 cm² (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 40 cm²

Area = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 8 = 40 cm².

Question 36: Which sentence contains an absolute phrase?

His homework done, he went to play. (Correct answer)
Because he finished his homework, he went to play.
He went to play after finishing homework.
Running fast, he won the race.

Correct answer: His homework done, he went to play.

An absolute phrase ('His homework done') has a noun and a participle and modifies the whole sentence.

Question 37: A student observes that fallen leaves in a forest eventually disappear. Which group of organisms is primarily responsible for this process?

Decomposers (Correct answer)
Carnivores
Producers
Herbivores

Correct answer: Decomposers

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic material like fallen leaves. This process, called decomposition, recycles nutrients back into the soil, which are then used by producers.

Question 38: Which Old Testament queen used wisdom and courage to save her people from a plot to destroy all Jews in Persia?

Esther (Correct answer)
Vashti
Jezebel
Athaliah

Correct answer: Esther

Queen Esther, a Jewish woman who became queen of Persia, risked her life by approaching King Ahasuerus to reveal Haman's plot and save her people.

Question 39: What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources are found underground; non-renewable are above ground
Renewable resources replenish naturally over time; non-renewable have finite supplies (Correct answer)
Renewable resources are more expensive than non-renewable ones
Renewable resources are only found in developed countries

Correct answer: Renewable resources replenish naturally over time; non-renewable have finite supplies

Renewable resources like solar and wind energy naturally replenish, while non-renewable resources like coal and oil form over millions of years and can be depleted.

Question 40: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This famous opening uses which device?

Antithesis (Correct answer)
Simile
Paradox
Oxymoron

Correct answer: Antithesis

Antithesis places contrasting ideas in parallel grammatical structure to highlight their opposition.

Question 41: A student fails an exam and says, "Well, that went perfectly!" This is an example of:

Dramatic irony
Cosmic irony
Situational irony
Verbal irony (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Verbal irony

Verbal irony occurs when someone says the opposite of what they actually mean.

Question 42: A student finds a classmate's lost money and, despite needing money herself, returns it to the owner. This act of honesty and integrity reflects the moral teachings emphasized by which major religious personality?

Okomfo Anokye, in his codes for the Asante
Prophet Muhammad, as 'The Trustworthy' (Correct answer)
Moses, for receiving the law
Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount

Correct answer: Prophet Muhammad, as 'The Trustworthy'

While all religious figures teach honesty, Prophet Muhammad's life example, particularly his title 'Al-Amin' (The Trustworthy), provides a direct and powerful illustration of this specific virtue. The student's action directly mirrors the quality for which he was renowned even before his prophethood.

Question 43: A stone is dropped from a height of 20 m (g = 10 m/s²). What is its speed just before it hits the ground?

20 m/s (Correct answer)
2 m/s
10 m/s
200 m/s

Correct answer: 20 m/s

Using energy conservation: mgh = ½mv² → v = √(2gh) = √(2×10×20) = √400 = 20 m/s.

Question 44: If the ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:5 and there are 24 boys, how many girls are there?

35
30
40 (Correct answer)
45

Correct answer: 40

24 boys = 3 parts, so 1 part = 8; girls = 5 × 8 = 40.

Question 45: How many 3 inch cubed pieces of fudge can fit into a Christmas tin that is 9 inches deep, 12 inches wide, and 9 inches high while still allowing the top to close?

15
30
36 (Correct answer)
24

Correct answer: 36

To find how many fudge pieces fit, we can calculate how many fit along each dimension. The tin is 9 inches deep, 12 inches wide, and 9 inches high, and each fudge cube is 3 inches on a side. So, 9/3 = 3 pieces fit along the depth, 12/3 = 4 pieces fit along the width, and 9/3 = 3 pieces fit along the height. Multiplying these values gives the total number of pieces: 3 * 4 * 3 = 36 pieces.

Question 46: Which reformer challenged corruption in the Catholic Church in 1517 by publishing his famous Ninety-Five Theses?

Henry VIII
Ulrich Zwingli
Martin Luther (Correct answer)
John Calvin

Correct answer: Martin Luther

Martin Luther, a German monk, sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517 by publishing his Ninety-Five Theses challenging practices like the sale of indulgences.

Question 47: Which of the following is a conductor of electricity?

Copper (Correct answer)
Plastic
Wood
Rubber

Correct answer: Copper

Copper is a metal with free electrons that allow it to conduct electricity efficiently, making it widely used in wiring.

Question 48: What is the volume of a cuboid with length 5 cm, width 4 cm, and height 3 cm?

60 cm³ (Correct answer)
47 cm³
120 cm³
35 cm³

Correct answer: 60 cm³

Volume = l × w × h = 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cm³.

Question 49: An author writes, 'Just as the child was about to leave for the beach party, dark clouds gathered ominously in the sky.' What is the primary literary device the author is using in this sentence?

Symbolism
Flashback
Irony
Foreshadowing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in a story. The gathering of dark clouds hints at potential trouble or disappointment for the child's beach party, building suspense for the reader.

Question 50: The careful choice of words an author makes to convey meaning, style, and tone is called:

Syntax
Imagery
Theme
Diction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Diction

Diction refers to the author's deliberate word selection and how it shapes the reader's understanding.

Question 51: A character is described as having "the patience of Job." This is an example of:

Simile
Symbolism
Metaphor
Allusion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Allusion

An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, event, or text — here, Job from the Bible.

Question 52: In Ghana's system of governance, the District Assembly has deliberative, executive, and legislative functions. Its executive functions are primarily carried out by the

Presiding Member
Member of Parliament
District Chief Executive (Correct answer)
Regional Minister

Correct answer: District Chief Executive

The District Chief Executive (DCE), appointed by the President with the Assembly's approval, serves as the head of the Executive Committee of the District Assembly and is responsible for the day-to-day administration and implementation of the Assembly's decisions.

BECE - Basic Education Certificate Exam

The BECE is Ghana's national exam for junior high school students, testing English, mathematics, integrated science, social studies, and religious/moral education.

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

50%

To Pass

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