SS2 English Examinations Questions 2023/2024

SS2 English Examinations Questions and answers for senior senior secondary school 2 (ss2) pdf

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

TIME ALLOWED: 2 hours

ESSAY

SECTION A

Your father has just built a new house for the family. Write a letter to your elder brother who lives abroad, describing the new house and the prestige it has accorded your family.
Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on the high cost of living, suggesting at least three ways in which the government of your country can tackle the problem.
The electricity supply in your school has been irregular. As the Senior Prefect, write a letter to the Chairman of the parent -Teacher Association (PTA) telling him about the effect of this on the school and the need to provide a stand-by generator for the school.
Your principal is due for retirement at the end of the academic year As the senior prefect, Write a speech which you would deliver to honour him/her as a send-off party.
Write a story that ends With the statement: I wish I had listened to my parents.

COMPREHENSION PASSAGE

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

I had always thought that he was under a spell to be such a workaholic. Daily, after returning from school, he would promptly head for the bush. There, he would engage in fashioning out something that could fetch him some money. He would emerge sometimes with baskets and brooms made from palm fronds and at other times, two or three pestles beautifully crafted to please any housewife. Occasionally, he would work till late evening as a labourer on someone’s farmland. Returning, he would bring home pepper, vegetables and firewood. Interestingly, he had a father, who spent more time working from cockcrow till dusk on large commercial farmlands. Interestingly, he had a father who had his own farm, but was too poor to finance his education. Once in a while, he would go to his father’s farm to help the old man out.

However, towards the end of his first year in senior secondary school. he obtained a piece of farm land from his father. He worked on the land as if his life depended on it! That year, he planted maize and all sorts of vegetables. The harvest gave him enough money to pay his fees, procure some planks and several carpenter’s tools. With his knowledge of woodwork. He started making simple kitchen stools, tables and chairs which attracted a lot of customers. Yet, his education did not suffer, indeed, he was always in the top position in class.

Once when I remarked in class that Adamu was like a person pursued by a demon pushing him to work so hard, everybody laughed. Including him. When the laughter subsided. he looked at me intently and said, “Kola, you can’t understand. I pray you’ll never have that demon after you. I guess if you were in my shoes, without a mother since age three, you would have such a demon after you too. I only vaguely remember my mother because I was too young when she passed on. When my father remarried, the Woman excluded me from her care: I had to find a solution. I got myself enrolled in school at age eight. I had to take care of my feeding, pay my way through school, and buy uniforms and books. At first, an uncle introduced me to working on other people’s farms. but when I discovered that I could take care of myself. I worked even harder. When there was no work anywhere. I took to the bush to make objects like brooms. baskets. pestles and hoe handles. Today, I have as many pairs of shoes. clothes and books as any of you. Now, I have graduated from making simple home items to making doors. Nobody taught me these, nobody, except. perhaps the demon you referred to.

Complete silence followed. Since then, I have had the utmost respect for him.

(a) Why did the writer think Adamu was under a spell?

(b) Give two reasons why Adamu had to take care of himself.

(d) What does the reference to Adamu’s academic performance tell us about him? (e) What is the writer’s attitude towards Adamu?

(f) What tells us that Adamu was determined to be educated?

(g)… like a person pursued by a demon.. What figure of speech is used in this expression?

(h).. that I could take care of myself:

(i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression as it is used in the passage?

(ii) What is its function?

For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage:

a spell
crafted
procure
attracted
vaguely
simple.

SUMMARY

Read the following passage carefully and answer, in your own words as far as possible, the question that follows.

Poverty! Can anyone who has not really been poor know what poverty is? I really doubt it. How can anyone who enjoys three square meals a day explain what poverty means? Indeed can someone who has two full meals a day claim to know poverty? Perhaps, one begins to grasp the full meaning of poverty when one struggles really hard to have one miserable meal in twenty-four hours. Poverty and hunger are cousins, the former always dragging along the latter wherever he chooses to go.

If you were wearing a suit, or a complete traditional attire, and you look naturally rotund in your apparel, you cannot understand what poverty entails. Nor can you have a true feel of poverty if you have some good shirts and pairs of trousers, never mind that all these are casual wear. Indeed, if you can change one dress into another, and these are all you can boast of, you are not really poor. A person begins to have a true feel of what poverty means when, apart from the tattered clothes on his body, he doesn’t have any other; not even calico to keep away the cold at night.

Let us face it, can anyone who has never slept outside, in the open, appreciate the full, harsh import of homelessness? Yet that is what real, naked poverty is. He who can lay claim to a house, however humble, cannot claim to be poor. Indeed, if he can afford to rent a flat, or a room in town or city, without the landlord having cause to eject him, he cannot honestly claim to be poor. The really poor man has no roof over his head, and this is why you find him under a bridge, in a tent or simply in the vast open air.

But that is hardly all. The poor man faces the world as a hopeless underdog. In every bargain, every discussion, every event involving him and others, the poor man is constantly reminded of his failure in life. Nobody listens attentively when he makes a point, nobody accepts that his opinion merits consideration. So in most cases, he learns to accept that he has neither wisdom nor opinion.

The pauper’s lot naturally rubs off on his child who is subject not only to hunger of the body but also of the mind. The pauper lacks the resources to send his child to school. And even in communities where education is free, the pauper’s child still faces an uphill task because the hunger of the body impedes the proper nourishment of the mind. Denied access to modern communications media, the poor child has very little opportunity to understand the concepts taught him. His mind is rocky soil on which the teacher’s seeds cannot easily germinate. Thus embattled at home and then at school, the pauper’s child soon has very little option but to drop out of school.

That is still not all. Weakened by hunger, embattled by cold and exposure to the elements, feeding on poor water and poor food, the pauper is an easy target for diseases. This is precisely why the poorest countries have the shortest life expectancy while the longest life expectancy is recorded among the richest countries. Poverty is really a disease that shortens life!

(a)In six sentences, one for each, summarize the problems of the poor man.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE TEST

SECTION 1

In the following sentence, there is an 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 will at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.

Binetou’s inquisitiveness is in sharp contrast with her sister’s A. indifference B. noiness C. calmness D. dullness
Though at first it appeared an insignificant idea, it turned out to be quite _________ A. outstanding B. successful C. remarkable D. interesting
After grasping the fundamental aspects of his job, Kwesi had to cope with more ________ procedures. A. advanced B. academic C. subsidiary D. secondary
The youth prefer discussing contemporary issues to ______ ones. A. archaic B. uninteresting C. stale D. political
As erroneous as it might sound, the Headmaster’s assumption was quite _______ A. wise B. correct C. precise D. faulty
Halima likes to dwell on trivial , rather than _______ matters. A. strong B. popular C. weighty D. heavy
We all know that Bola is insolent whereas Ade is ________ A. cowardly B. respectful C. humble D. modest
A few days after Musa’s _______, his sister longed for his departure . A. coming B. entrance C. arrival D. welcome
Algebra seems complicated , but with practice it becomes ________ A. solved B. simple C. accessible D. achievable
Mrs. Agide is unassuming whereas her twin sister is ________ A. cheerful B. boastful C. loud D. rude

SECTION 2

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

At Christmas, employees of the Sugar Factory receive huge ________A. benefits B. dividends C. bonuses D. salaries
The exposed milk in the container has turned _______ A. sour B. putrid C. mouldy D. stale
Not all activists champion ________ causes. A. worthy B. real C. concrete D. favourable
The Mayor gave a glowing ________ at the funeral of the city’s only curator. A. citation B. statement C. tribute D. commendation
At the end of the _______. The National Anthem is played on our radio station. A. programming B. production C. transition D. transmission
The defence counsel was unable to convince the ______ of John’s innocence. A. plaintiff B. witness C. panel D. jury
Unfortunately, corruption is the _______ of most African countries. A. venom B. bane C. disaster D. backbone
The _______ results proved that the patient had hepatitis. A. investigation B. diagnosis C. probe D. test
The new book has beautiful _______ which make it attractive. A. illustrationsB. demonstrationsC. illuminations D. compositions
Their marriage was finally _____ after years of hostility. A. cancelled B. annulled C. broken D. separated

SECTION 3

After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.

Can you imagine Oka behaving as if he has all the knowledge in the world? This means that Oka. A. does not really know anything B. knows so much more than we think C. is admired by everybody D. respects other people
Akin is too full of himself. This means that Akin A. Talks too much B. eats too much C. is too proud D. is quite annoying
She slogged her guts out for the examinations. This means that she A. failed the examination despite working hard for it B. passed the examination despite not working hard for it C. used unfair means to face the examination D. really worked very hard for the examination
I admire Modou: very few people can stomach all of Adaeze’s insults. This means that Modou A. tolerated Adaeze’s insults B. was a weakling C. had no answer to Adaeze’s insults D. did the right thing by remaining silent
After months of battling with stroke, he is now a shadow of his former self. This means that he A. is now frail B. is vulnerable C. is hopeless D. has almost recovered
Kura, you can’t be too careful when dealing with Wang. This means that Kura. A. has no reason to be suspicious of Wang B. can fully rely on Wang C. has to be very careful in his relationship with Wang D. may feel free in the company of Wang
Don’t tell me another cock and bull story. This means that the speaker does not want to. A. be further baffled B. hear the same old story C. hear another drab story D. be further deceived
Had he confessed much earlier, she would have trusted him. This means that he A. had confessed earlier on, but he wasn’t trusted B. had confessed much earlier on and he was trusted C. hadn’t confessed much earlier on and he was trusted D. hadn’t confessed earlier on, and wasn’t trusted
Kola: You really worked hard to win the case.

Didia: You don’t know the half of it. This means that. A. it wasn’t as difficult as Kola had thought B. Kola’s statement wasn’t actually correct C. It was even more difficult than Kola could imagine D. Winning the case didn’t mean much to Kola

Femi is too clever by half. This means that Femi A. displays his cleverness in an annoying way B. is not as clever as he thinks C. pleases everyone he meets D. hides how clever he really is

SECTION 4

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

He was such a brilliant footballer! A. an inspired B. an intelligent C. a dazzling D. skillful
The Politician is a fluent speaker. A. an eloquent B. a superficial C. an insightful D. a persuasive
Everyone has the urge to succeed in life. A. compulsion B. desire C. need D. courage
When he heard the gunshot, he ran into a thick forest. A. tight B. deep C. dense D. close
That was a timely intervention.A. suitable B. accurate C. prompt D. major
David is not only hardworking but also scrupulous. A. painstaking B. ambitious C. pleasant D. daring
We really have to be careful because the situation is rather tricky. A. deceitful B. trivial C. unexpected D. difficult
I think that his essay is impeccable. A. erroneous B. correct C. satisfactory D. faultless
There has been a marked change in her study habit. A. significant B. real C. full D. complete
He was directed to write the letter. A. advised B. instructed C. persuaded D. forced

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.

The two players protested against the —— (a) fitness twice-weekly practice (b) practice fitness twice-weekly (c) twice-weekly practice fitness (d) twice-weekly fitness practice
If I —— what actually happened, I would have punished him (a) had heard (b) have had (c) had had (d) have heard
She was certainly going to the cinema, —— ? (a) ins’t she (b) ins’t it (c) wasn’t it (d) wasn’t she
Their —– house is by the side of the road. (a) father -in-law’s (b) father’s -in-law (c) fathers’ -in-law (d) father- in-laws
A spoiled child is usually prone________laziness. A. to B. for C. with D. at
He ran —— that the defenders couldn’t catch up with him A. very fast. B. much faster C. so faster D. so fast
I told them I would come back as soon as I —– A. should B. can C. could. D. will
Isn’t it high time we —– ? A. started eating B. start eating C. had started eating D. start to eat
The new bridge was a complete waste of money and……….built in the first place A. need not have been B. needs not have been C. needed not have been D. need not to have been
Jane has stopped smoking, ——- ? A. hasn’t she B. didn’t she C. isn’t it. D. hadn’t she

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

One of the indicators of -51- under development in this country is the backward state of the transport sector. This is typified by the poor state of the railway -52-. In advanced countries, commuter trains carry passengers from city and within suburbs. The -53- train goes a lot faster connecting major cities and even states; such trains have – 54- only. In the intra- city trains, it is only shelter and seats that are provided. There are no -55-. In some cases, and because of the long hours of service of inter-city or inter-state trains, -56- and -57- are available in addition to coaches. Apart from the very fast electric trains, there are passenger trains that are -58- powered. There are others that use coal or steam as -59-. Some trains offer -60- services, transporting goods.

A. structural B. infrastructural C. fiscal D. systematic

52 A. system B. framework C. industry D. business

53. A. intra-city B. in-city C. inter-city D. sub-city

54. A. wagons B. coaches C. cabins D. decks

55. A. bookshops and libraries B. gyms and clubs C. meals and refreshments D. parks and salons

56. A. dining car B. lunch tables C. refectories D. bars

57. A. closets B. engine C. cloakrooms D. control suites

58. A. battery B. engineC. diesel D. solar

59. A. petrol B. alternative C. converter D. fuel

60. A. freight B. delivery C. postal D. courier

TEST OF ORALS

SECTION 1

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

coin A. toy B. rod C. lord D. ride
blow A. brown B. blew C. road D. now
lawyer A. lawless B. lorry C. adapt D. flying
decided A. bled B. hid C. skew D. hide
cup A. oven B. cot C. crop D. curl
pure A. sure B. you C. curse D. more
how A. low B. drought C. bowl D. bought
short A. but B. shoot C. spot D. jaw
could A. cold B. cod C. pull D. cool
sew A. dew B. go C. sane D. seer
people A. pie B. pole C. key D. pear
bar A. bat B. chat C. father D. arrow
heir A. here B. air C. ear D. hear
round A. fun B. road C. now D. brought
ear A. heard B. cheer C. fare D. bear

SECTION 2

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

water A. pewter B. wrong C. twirl D. brew.
same A. isle B. dies C. daze D. loose
zero A. days B. cease C. seizure D. measure
parent A. pious B. physics C. corps D. pharmacy
shelf A. halves B. cough C. shell D. sheaves
both A. these B. them C. theirs D. athlete
chocolate A. shock B. champagne C. choir D. latch
bail A. talk B. folk C. calm D. fall
breast A. marked B. cream C. calm D.fall
unite A. untie B. uncover C. you D.until
brain A. column B. bang C. banana D.sing
merge A. jerk B. game C. grease D.leg
flock A. physics B. phlegm C. calf D.block
locked A. look B. dull C. take D. keep
plait A. lump B. apply C. police D. prank

SECTION 3

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

Suite A. Suit B. Sweet C. Suitor D.Swim
Punch A. Tongue B. Lunch C. Lunge D. Lung
Whale A. Where B. Wail C. Whelp D.Well
Indict A. Indices B. Swear C. Verdict D. Indite
35. Unarmed A. Unhinge B. Unharmed C. Unmanned D. Unplug

SECTION 4

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

installation A. IN-stal-la-tion B. in-STAL-la-tion C. in-stal-LA-tion D. in-stal-la-TION
circumstances A. CIR-cum-stan-ces B. cir-CUM-stan-ces C. cir-cum-STAN-ces D. cir-cum-stan-CES
manipulate A. MA-ni-pu-late B. man-NI-pu-late C. man-ni-PU-late D. man-ni-pu-LATE
apologize A. A-pol-o-gize B. a-POL-o-gize C. a-pol-O-gize D. a-pol-o-GIZE
Unwillingness A. UN-wil-ling-ness B. un-WIL-ling-ness C. un-wil-LING-ness D. un-wil-ling-NESS

SECTION 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

A. swindle B. sandals C. bucket D. extreme
A. convenient B. excellent C. durable D. camouflage
A. accede B. conve C. dissuade D. closure
A. tradition B. affiliate C. beautiful D. consistent
45. A. constructive B. technical. C. necessary D. plentiful

SECTION 6

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.

The man BROUGHT the newspaper. A. Did the woman bring the newspaper? B. Did the man bring a newspaper? C. Did the man bring the magazine? D. Did the man read the newspaper
The woman wants MY car. A. Does the woman want my radio? B. Does the man want my car? C. Does the woman want his car? D. Does the woman need my car?
The president SPOKE to the press yesterday. A. Did the minister speak to the press yesterday? B. Did the president speak to the lecturers yesterday? C. Did the president wave to the press yesterday? D. Did the president speak to the press today?
Comfort prepared a DELICIOUS meal. A. Did Comfort prepare a delicious snack? B. Did Comfort prepare a tasteless meal? C. Did Jummy prepare a delicious meal? D. Did Comfort order a delicious meal?
OUR Mathematics teacher has been transferred. A. Has their Mathematics teacher been transferred? B. Has our Physics teacher been transferred? C. Has our Mathematics teacher been promoted? D. Has our Mathematics supervisor been transferred?

SECTION7

Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol.