PARTS OF SPEECH

PARTS OF SPEECH

A speech refers to a vocal expression in words. Every spoken word belongs to a specific category called parts of speech. The ability to classify words in a language into their respective parts of speech is the beginning of knowledge of that language. There are eight parts of speech in English language. They include:

1.    Noun

2.    Pronoun

3.    Verb

4.    Adverb

5.    Adjectives

6.    Preposition

7.    Conjunction

8.    Interjection ( exclamation)

One of the ways of testing ones knowledge of the parts of speech is by trying to classify every word in a sentence into the respective parts of speech they belong to. At this juncture it is pertinent to note that a single word can belong to more than one part of speech depending on the context in which it is used.  Examples may help to throw more light on that. Consider the following sets of sentences:

1.    The tailor cut the thread with a razor blade (verb).

The little boy sustained a cut in his hand (noun).

2.    Man shall not live by bread alone (noun).

Soldiers had been deployed to man the city (verb).

Man! That was a wonderful experience (exclamation).

3.    One hundred metres race was the last event of the tournament (adjective).

The final year exam will last for a period of ten days (verb)

4.    The priest knelt before the altar and prayed (preposition).

We had arrived home before the rain began (conjunction).

The accused had been convicted before (adverb).

CLASSIFICATION OF WORDS INTO PARTS OF SPEECH

All learners of English with in-depth knowledge of parts of speech should be able to group the words in a sentence into the appropriate parts of speech they belong to. This can be practiced as shown below:

When(1) Emeka(2) returned(3) from(4) London(5), he(6) bought(7) some(8) beautiful(9) flowers(10) which(11) he(12) gave(13) to(14) his(15) friends(16) as(17) a(18) gift(19) of(20) love(21) during(22) the(23) last(24) Christmas celebration(25).

All the words in the above sentence can be grouped into their respective parts of speech as follows:                                  

(1)adverb (2)noun (3)verb (4)preposition, (5)noun, (6)pronoun (7)verb

(8)determiner (not a typical part of speech)adjective noun pronoun  verb preposition pronoun noun preposition article (not a typical part of speech) noun preposition noun preposition article adjective  noun

NOUN

A noun is a name given to anything within the earth surface. In other words, nouns are names by which things can be identified. Since, everything on earth can be classified into humans, animals, places and other non living things; one can therefore rightly say that a noun is a name of a person, animal, place or things.

CLASSIFICATION

Noun can be classified into the following types:

1.    Concrete noun

2.    Abstract noun

3.    Proper noun

4.    Common noun

5.    Countable noun

6.    Uncountable noun

7.    Collective noun

Concrete nouns: these are nouns that can be seen and touched ie the noun that can be perceived by two senses namely: the sense of sight and the sense of touch. Examples of concrete nouns are names of objects such as: book, torch, pen, telephone, radio, television, chair, table, fan, refrigerator, house, shirt, bag, wall, floor, water, sand, clock, lamp, cup, pot, spoon, nail, hammer, flask, football, basket, shoes, cap, etc.

Abstract nouns: these are direct opposite of concrete nouns. They are nouns that may or may not be seen, can be imagined but cannot be perceived by the sense of touch. They are names given to intangible entities or things that exist in a mental or spiritual realm. They are also used to express qualities possessed by a person or thing or the inner feeling of a person. E.g: happiness, intelligence, beauty, presence, bravery, patience, kindness, nepotism, patriotism, malady, madness, cleanliness, faithfulness, might, behaviour, sin, cleverness, punctuality, deficiency, anger, nervousness, righteousness, disappointment, proximity, recovery, longevity, stamina, durability, magnanimity, prosperity, abundance, miserliness, integrity, dignity, etc.

Proper nouns: these are names of persons, places or institution, days of the week and months of the year. The first letter of every proper noun must be written in capital letter irrespective of where they occur in a sentence, whether in the beginning, middle or at the end of a sentence e.g:

The democracy day in Nigeria is usually on 29^th May. (The first letters in “Nigeria and May” are capitalized because they are proper noun)

Examples of proper noun include:

Names of persons: Okey, Chima, Ikenna, Chizoba, Okeke, Eze, Ada, Jim, Nnedimma, Chioma, Sandra, Efua, Funmi, Okafor, Jide, Alexander, Peter, Christopher, Vivian, Ruth, Boniface, Onyekwere, Chidimma, Prince, Chibike, Prosper, Fabian, Jaachi, Chinwe, Chidiogo, Ugochi, Chidiebere, Mohammed, Sambo, Abubakar, Emeka, Onyinye, Bade, Edet, Ngozi, Chisom, Francis, Buhari, Gowon, Achebe, William, etc

Names of places: Enugu,  Benin Republic, Awgu, Okigwe, France,  Ituku, America, Nsukka, Agbogugu,  Gambia, Argentina, Ohofia, Niger, Gariki, Abuja, Europe,  Nenwe,  Coted’ voire, Mgbidi, Egypt, Ngwo, Nigeria,  Abakpa, Lagos, Lokoja, Agbor, Uromi, Africa, Gwagwalada, Cameroun,  Aba, Sierra-Leone,  Onitsha, Asia, etc.

Names of institutions: University of Nigeria,  Redeemed Christian Church of God, Intercontinental Bank, Mighty Unbeatable College, Federal High Court, St. Luke’s Hospital, Central Bank of Nigeria, Forcados High School, Brain Trust Academy, Adoration Ministry, Institute of Management Technology, Omega Fire Ministry, etc.

Names of associations, unions or agencies: United Nations, Academic Staff Union, Onoli Progressive Union, National Football Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Food and Agricultural Organization, World health Organization, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission. Etc.

Days of the week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Months of the year: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

Common nouns: these are names that do not belong to the proper noun. They are usually the names of objects. Common nouns unlike proper nouns do not have their first letter capitalized except when they begin a sentence. E.g:  book, house,  radio, book, torch, pen, telephone, television, chair, table, fan, refrigerator, shirt, bag, wall, floor, water, sand, clock, lamp, cup, pot, spoon, nail, hammer, flask, football, basket, shoes, cap, etc.

Uncountable (uncount) nouns: these are names given to things or group of things that cannot be counted or that cannot exist as a separate entity. Uncountable noun can either be a concrete or abstract noun.

Examples of uncountable nouns:

Uncountable abstract nouns: most abstract nouns are uncountable noun. E.g: information, news, advice, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, ignorance, diligence, kindness, repentance, mediocrity, gratitude, holiness, punctuality, air, etc.

Uncountable concrete nouns: these can be grouped into solids and liquids.

Solids include: Food e.g: rice, bread, flour, sugar, salt, meat, salad, moi-moi, omelettes, butter, garri, yam, cocoyam, etc. A collection of things e.g: furniture, luggage, equipment, traffic, money, etc.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

English language is one of the most internationally recognized languages across the globe. Other internationally recognized languages include French, German, Italian, Spanish, etc. English language originated from England. It is spoken by the people of England as both a primary language (mother-tongue) as well as an official language. A greater proportion of the world use English as a medium of international communication (lingua franca) than any other international language. All the countries that were formerly or are presently under the British colonization, speak English as a second language in addition to their local dialect.

All the countries that speak English as either a primary or a secondary language are called Anglophone countries. Thus, Nigeria is an Anglophone nation. There are other different versions of English language apart from the British English (BrE) which include: American English (AmE), Irish English (IrishE), Australian English (AustralE), Northern English ((NorthE), New Zealand English (NZE), Scottish English (ScotE) and Indian English (IndianE). The most formally acceptable version of English is the British English. The British version of English is called the Standard English. Though, the American version of English is gaining popularity but hitherto it is not used as a standard for judgment in an academic setting such as JAMB Use of English and literary studies. Therefore, for examination purposes, students are advised to adhere strictly to

the British English for a good performance.

No language is an Island to itself. Newer languages depend on the older languages for their development.  Many languages at a certain level of their development adopt some words from pre-existing languages to augment their vocabularies. When words from other languages are converted to English words, such words are said to have been anglicized. Some English words were borrowed from Latin and French.

2015 BECE ENGLISH QUESTIONS

2015 BASIC EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

SECTION A - OBJECTIVE

COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 1

It has been observed that most cult boys and girls in secondary schools prefer nick names to their real names. They answer names such as: kokos, snake, blade, principal, slash, baddest, nigger, bukana, iron-lady, queen, thatcher, etc.

Obviously, these names appear to make such students more popular and present them as the tough ones in their schools. It is difficult to identify students like that by their original names and that is why they become ready targets when there is any inter-cult war.

Students are therefore advised to review the nick names they answer. Names are powerful and have great influence on those who bear them. Parents must expect danger whenever their children start answering negative nicknames in place of their original names. Parents must then stop them and compel a change in attitude

QUESTIONS

1.    According to the passage, most cultist A. reject nicknames B. answer their original names C. prefer negative nicknames D. prefer good nicknames

2.    Cultists are often identified by A. their classes in the school B. how their parents care for them C. their popularity D. the names they bear

3.    The passage advises students to A. quit answering bad names B. quit answering good names C. prefer changing names D. enjoy answering names

4.    The passage advises parents to A. use their children’s nickname B. react softly against children’s nicknames C. rise strongly against children’s bad names D. fore see danger

5.    One can conclude from the passage that A. answering any name is dangerous B. preferring any name is risky C. negative nicknames attract victimization D. nicknames are pleasing to parents

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it

Passage II

A Swiss scientist was reported to be suffering from Ebola virus disease. This was the first case reported 15 years ago. In April 1995 a medical worker died in a hospital and so did the nurse who cared for him. Now the population of Kiewit, a town in Zaire African, is threatened with the killer disease…Ebola virus.

The Ebola virus and its related strains were first seen in 1976 in Sudan. In that year 280 people died in a village near the Ebola River from which the virus got its name. The Ebola Virus is one of the most mysterious and deadliest killers. It kills 90% of the victims who are infected. It is spread through direct contact with infected blood and other body fluids. Symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Death finally occurs in the second week when blood pours out from the victim’s eyes, ears and nose.

There is still no vaccine for the virus but the symptoms can be kept under control. Unfortunately, it is not easily transmitted but contact with blood and contaminated needles can spread the infection at an alarming rate. In the mean time, health officials are struggling to confine the virus to Kiewit and its surrounding areas. Spot checks and road blocks are carried out on roads leading to Zaire’s capital. However these attempts have proved to be unsuccessful as soldiers can be bribed easily. Air and Sea ports around the world like the United States, Thailand, Egypt, Nigeria and United Arab Emirates have also taken steps to tighten the screening of the Ebola Virus.

At this moment, the Ebola virus is stable with no new case reported. According to the World Health Organization, the deadly Ebola virus does not pose a serious international risk. Since the virus is confined to Kiewit, chances of its spreading beyond the areas are unlikely, as the virus is spread through contact with body fluid and not through casual contact or by air.

6.    The Ebola virus originated from A. Ebola River B. Kiewit C. Zaire D. Sudan

7.    The Ebola virus is mysterious because… A. of its unknown carrier B. it comes and goes quickly C. it does not kill the infected D. nobody knows how long the symptoms persists

8.    A person infected with the Ebola virus will not be able to survive … A. first week B. second week C. third week D. fourth week

9.    When symptoms can be kept under control, it means that A. they are self limiting B. they can be dealt with C. they can spread quickly D. they can be transmitted at a controlled rate

10. What do you think will happen if soldiers are successfully bribed? A. The virus will remain at place of origin B. these soldiers will be infected C. the virus carriers of the virus will bring the virus out of the place of origin D. infected animals will spread the virus to other animals through the air

LEXIS

Fill in the numbered blank spaces in the following passage with the appropriate word selected from the options lettered A-D

A notice on the News board in our schools is a form of advertisement. It might advertise an event such as football match, or play, or a concert. Its aim is to attract people and inform them about important 11.

In the world beyond school, advertising has become a lucrative business. The success or failure of a new 12  in the market may depend on how it is advertised. For a local shop in a small town, a 13 can be produced and distributed in the streets. If large sums of money are involved, companies will often go to an advertising 14   .This kind of organization specializes in the best methods of advertising, and can play a key role in the 15 of a product. They may make advertisement on TV or Radio and design 16 to go on advertising on the bill board.

Sometimes an organization may wish to improve its public 17 i.e., the way members of the public perceive it in doing this, a company may design a 18 with a public relations agency which will advise them on their public image.

    A                   B                     C                         D

1.    inform          details            information      events

2.    produce        product          event                factor

3.    handbill       handout         paper                sheet

4.    body            advisory          corporation      agency

5.    prestige        publicity          market            promotion

6.    handbills      poster             stickers           pictures

7.    perception    spending          image            relationship

8.    agreement    contract           paper              poster

From the options lettered A-D, choose the one that is NEAREST in meaning to the underlined word in the following sentences (questions 19-21)

19.    He fortified himself against the attack of the armed robbers A. strengthened B. fought C. fashioned D. dressed

20.    Our department is now autonomous A. automatic B. large C. interdependent D. independent

21.    The price of vegetables fluctuates according to weather condition A. cheap B. changes C. fair D. remain steady

From the options lettered A-D choose the appropriate question tag

22.    Okoro finished his work A. did he? B. does he? C. wasn’t he?  D. didn’t he?

23.    There are thirty chairs in the class A. aren’t there? B. aren’t they? C. are they? D. are there?

24.    The students cannot read fluently A. could they? B. can’t they? C. can they? D. do they?

Choose from the options lettered A-D the one that has the given phonetic symbol

25.    /b/ A. lamb B. debt C. bubble D. doubt

26.    /ei/ A. castle B. day C. thousand D. sad

27.    /h/ A. honour B. hope C. church D. cough

28.    /Ø/ A. the B. brother C. thing D. father

From the options lettered A-D, choose the one that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word. (questions 29-31)

29.    The shoes were so beautiful that he bought them  A. got B. sold C. stole D. borrowed

30.    He always wears a soft smile  A. kind B. sweet C. stern D. mild

31.    They promised to preserve their culture A. keep B. disturb C. destroy D. appreciate

Choose the word that appropriately completes the sentence

32.    Almost everyone I know has given ---- smoking A. up B. off C. away D. from

33.    At what time do you think we ought to ------ off tomorrow? A. Walk B. hurry C. step D. set

34.    When you want to go to bed ----- the light  A. put past B. switch off C. put out D. put under

Put the correct form of verb in the bracket from the options given

35.    Every worker (pay) his salary monthly A. has paid B. have paid C. were paid D. is paid

36.    Ebere (lose) her bag last week A. losed B. loosed C. lost D. lossed

37.    Our English master  (be) very industrious A. being  B. are C. were D. is

38.    When I arrived, she (have) gone  A. haved B. has C. have D. had

Each question is followed by four options lettered A-D , Choose the correct option for each question.

BATTLE OF SURVIVAL by Sir Lawrence Ezeora

39.    Who discovered paradise forest? A. Ojemba B. Elder Asaadu C. Elder Ofielu D. Nnamdi

40.    The major source of employment for adult males in Umundiukwu town is A. cattle rearing B. farming C. fishing D. trading

THE STRUGGLE by Akpu Felicia

41.    Arinze’s primary school teacher had a soft spot for him because of his --- A. misconduct B. pride C. intelligence and humility D. parents wealth

42.    One of the themes in the novel is the reward for A. hardwork B. hardship C. disobedience D. carelessness

THE BROKEN MEMBRANE by Felicia O. Eze

43.    What made Chuka come to live with Nnoli’s family? He loved the family his mother was related to Nnoli’s family his school was close to the family’s house his father lost his job

44.    “One cannot keep a tuber of yam and a goat in the same place and expect the goat not to eat the yam” This statement was made by Jenny Amaka Chuka Ikem

MY MOTHER’S PRIDE by Ngozi Emodi

45.    The hero of the novel is A. Adaku B. Jaco C. Obinna D. Chinyere

46.    Why did Adaku survive her ordeal in the evil forest? She was ---- A. innocent of the accusation against her B. guilty of what she was accused of C. very beautiful and hardworking D. her mother’s only child

FINAL JUDGEMENT by Uche Nnyagu

47.    Ngozi was too wicked to Chinyere and her because…. A. Chinyere was an orphan B. she feared that Chinyere would snatch her husband from her  C. Chinyere was a thief D. Chinyere was a prostitute

48.    “That I have time to sit down here and chat with you is because she travelled to the village yesterday”. She in this statement refers to A. Oge B. Ngozi C. Nkechi D. Joy

REGRETS by Barr. (Mrs) B. N Odike

49.    Why did Ijeoma not complete her secondary education? A. She took ill B. her parents could not see her through C. she got married D. she became a business woman

50.    The theme of the play is ---- A. life in school B. consequences of unseriousness C. school drop out D. early marriage

A COSTLY MISTAKE by Mary Nkwegu

51.    This drama teaches us the reward of ---- A. unfaithfulness B. disobedience C. obedience  D. way-wardness

52.    It is ----who made the costly mistakes in the drama A. Kenneth B. Mazi Egbo C. Obioma D. Johnson

THE JUDGEMENT DAY by Agbo Stephen C.

53.    The theme of the play is --- A. un-seriousness among students B. the evil consequences of keeping bad friends C. corruption D. the rich and the poor

54.    It was ---- who killed Mr. Jude Eke, the school principal A. Stanley B. Ebuka C. Junior D. Sgt. Okoli

PARIS by Esiaba Irobi

55.    In the poem Paris , “cest paris” means ---- A. It is Paris B. Look at Paris C. I see Paris D. I know Paris

NEW YORK by Esiaba Irobi

56.    New York! New York! repeatedly used in the poem is for A. adoration B. emphasis C. warning D. praise

MOSCOW by Esiaba Irobi

57.    The theme of the poem Moscow by Esiaba Irobi is --- A. the beauty and another land  B. the joy of freedom  C. there is nothing like one’s home D. sunrise in Russia

NIGHT by Esiaba Irobi

58.    The expression, “The night is a rugged landscape” is an example of A. metaphor B. irony C. simile D. personification

MIDNIGHT by Esiaba Irobi

59.    To compare midnight with a “swollen seed” shows that at midnight one is --- A. free B. unsure C. hidden D. blind

TWILIGHT by Esiaba Irobi

60.    This poem has --- stanzas A. four B. five C. three D. sixteen 

SECTION B- ESSAY

You are the chief speaker in an inter-school debate. Write your major speech for or against the motion, “The major cause of Examination mal-practices should be blamed on students rather than on teachers”.

Guideline

      i.        Take your stand

    ii.        Explain the term examination mal-practice

   iii.        Give at least three reasons for blaming the students or the teachers

   iv.        Conclude

Not less than 150 words.