Basic 8 · Ghanaian Language · Term Revision
Term Revision in Ghanaian Language
In this topic you will recall and summarise the term's work on customs, language skills, writing and literature, and practise answering end-of-term questions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall key ideas on puberty rites and the clan system
- Recall key ideas on tones, grammar, letters and essays
- Answer revision questions in your Ghanaian language
What you already know
- All topics covered in Ghanaian Language this term
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Revision helps you to link the term's topics. Use these summaries to test yourself in your Ghanaian language.
1. Customs and Institutions
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| puberty rites | passage to adulthood; Bragoro, Dipo, Otufo; teaching and celebration |
| comparison | differ in timing and rituals; share aims of guidance |
| changes | shorter, less common; education, religion, urban life; harmful practices must end |
| clans | identity, support, marriage, inheritance, leadership |
| threats | migration, modern lifestyles, disputes; protect through teaching and meetings |
2. Language Skills
| Area | Key points |
|---|---|
| tones | high and low; talking drums; meaning changes |
| narrating | time words, correct verb forms, suitable register |
| reading | main ideas, supporting points, unfamiliar texts |
| listening | speakers, topic, outcome; two-column notes |
| translation | context, word order, tense, natural expression |
3. Linking the Topics
The topics are connected. You can use your knowledge of clans and puberty rites when reading passages, writing essays and speaking at gatherings. Proverbs can strengthen your essays and speeches. Register and respect apply to everything you say and write. Revising with these links in mind helps you to remember more.
4. Revision Methods
- Explain each custom aloud in your language.
- Make flash cards for tones, idioms and proverbs.
- Practise tables of nouns and pronouns.
- Write one paragraph a day and check it carefully.
- Ask elders to test your knowledge of customs.
5. Self-Check Questions
Without looking at your notes, answer these in your Ghanaian language. What are the main stages of a puberty rite in your community? How do Bragoro and Dipo differ? Why are some harmful practices being stopped? Name four ways the clan helps its members and three threats to it. Say three pairs of words that differ by tone. If you find any of these difficult, go back to that lesson and read it again, and ask an elder or your teacher to help you.
6. Using Examples
In examinations, strong answers include examples from your own community. When you write about clans, name your clan and its totem. When you write about customs, describe what you have seen or heard from elders.
New words
- revision
- Studying again what has been learned.
- mind map
- A diagram linking ideas.
- flash card
- A card used for memorising facts.
- self-test
- Checking your own knowledge.
Summary
- Customs topics cover puberty rites and the clan system.
- Language skills cover tones, narrating, reading, listening and translation.
- Linking topics and using varied methods improve revision.
Class activity: Revision Cards
- Use review cards to quiz each other on customs and language.
- Answer in your Ghanaian language.
- Record topics for further revision.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language review cards, Exercise books, Pencils, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Dipo is a rite of the…
- A. Krobo
- B. Fante
- C. Dagomba
- D. Akyem
Show answer
Answer: KroboEastern Region.2. Which threatens the clan system?
- A. migration
- B. totems
- C. family meetings
- D. proverbs
Show answer
Answer: migrationThreat.3. Tones can change the meaning of words.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTone language.4. The Akan family head is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: abusuapaninLeader.5. State two similarities between puberty rites of different groups.
Show answer
Answer: Both mark adulthood and are led by older women.Any two.6. Explain why customs change over time.
Show answer
Answer: Education, religion, urban life and new laws change how people live and what they value.Change.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Let us review grammar, writing and literature and practise answering questions.
1. Key Ideas
| Area | Key points |
|---|---|
| nouns | abstract, concrete, countable, mass; plurals with prefixes |
| pronouns | subject, object, possessive; respect; clear reference |
| letters | informal and semi-formal; address, salutation, greetings, subscription |
| essays | argumentative: stand, reasons, evidence, counter-argument, conclusion |
| proverbs | short, traditional, figurative; themes; adinkra links |
| idioms | fixed expressions with special meanings |
2. Sample Questions
Practice question 1
Write the difference between a proverb and an idiom, with an example of each.
- A proverb is a complete wise saying: "Tikoro nkɔ agyina."
- An idiom is an expression with a special meaning: "Ne yam yɛ" (he or she is kind).
Answer: A proverb teaches a lesson; an idiom adds colour with a fixed meaning.
Practice question 2
State the parts of a semi-formal letter.
- Address and date, salutation, opening greetings.
- Purpose and body.
- Closing, subscription and name.
Answer: Address, date, salutation, opening, body, closing, subscription, name.
3. Answering in Your Language
Read each question carefully and answer in complete sentences. Use special letters and long vowels correctly, and check word order. For essays, plan before writing. Leave time to read through your answers.
4. Holiday Practice
During the holidays, speak your language with elders, collect proverbs and idioms, and ask about your clan's history. Keep a short diary in your language. Bring your best proverbs and stories to share next term.
5. Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse abstract and concrete nouns, make mass nouns plural, translate idioms word for word and forget to greet the reader in letters. In essays, many give an opinion without reasons. Others mix English words into their answers, or leave out special letters such as ɛ and ɔ. Read your answers aloud slowly before handing them in, because your ear will often catch what your eye has missed. Careful checking can add many marks to your final score.
6. Planning Your Answers
Before writing an essay or letter in the examination, spend a few minutes planning. List your main points, then decide their order.
New words
- model answer
- A complete, correct example answer.
- diary
- A daily record of events.
- instruction word
- A word that tells you how to answer.
- word order
- The arrangement of words in a sentence.
Summary
- Grammar topics include nouns and pronouns.
- Writing topics include letters and argumentative essays, and literature covers proverbs and idioms.
- Answer in complete sentences and plan essays before writing.
Class activity: Revision Quiz
- Answer ten questions on all the term's topics.
- Mark using model answers.
- Correct mistakes in your exercise book.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language review cards, Exercise books, Pencils, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. "Ɔdɔ" is a…
- A. abstract noun
- B. concrete noun
- C. mass noun
- D. pronoun
Show answer
Answer: abstract nounLove.2. Which is a mass noun?
- A. nkyene (salt)
- B. nwoma (book)
- C. dua (tree)
- D. akokɔ (fowl)
Show answer
Answer: nkyene (salt)Measured.3. A semi-formal letter should begin with greetings.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCustom.4. An expression with a special meaning is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: idiomFixed phrase.5. State three features of an argumentative essay.
Show answer
Answer: Clear stand, reasons, counter-argument (or evidence, conclusion).Any three.6. Why is a proverb useful in an essay?
Show answer
Answer: It adds wisdom and authority and makes the point memorable.Effect.
Homework
- Make a mind map of all the term's topics.