Primary 5 English

SA1/SA2 Practice Papers, with suggested answers

Consulting Editor: Dr Zhang Yong BE, ME (Peking University), PhD (NUS)

 Outreach Edusys Pte Ltd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book and the accompanying CDROM may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, CD duplication, replication, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

First Published 2010

ISBN: 978-981-4275-22-4

Published by: Outreach Edusys Pte Ltd Distributed by: Outreach System Pte Ltd 20 Shaw Road, #07-03 Singapore 367956 Tel: +65 91162024 Fax: +65 31507345 Email: book@orlesson.org

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Preface
This book is written to assist pupils in preparing for the Primary 5 English Paper Two examinations. There are a total of 8 specially crafted examination style papers. The main features of the papers are as follows. 1. Questions are modelled after examination papers set by top well known Singapore schools. 2. Questions are crafted to enrich vocabulary and enhance understanding of English writing and language usage.

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Contents
Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 1 Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 2 Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 3 Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 4 Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 1 Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 2 Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 3 Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 4 Suggested Answers 1 14 27 40 55 70 85 101 116

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Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 1

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

MORE FUN! MORE EXCITEMENT! THE FUN CITY

OPERATING HOURS Weekdays: 10 am 8 pm Weekends and public holidays: 8 am 8 pm Closed on every third Saturday of the month for maintenance and repair
Special Admission Charges!

Only available at the entrance ticketing booths from 2pm to 5pm weekdays only

DONT MISS THE SPECIAL ATTRACTION!

AMAZING ACROBATS a thrilling display by Italian and French stuntmen! Every second Saturday of the month till December 2009

HURRY!ITISTIMETOVISITSINGAPORESHOTTESTTHEMEPARK! THE FUN CITY, 25, East Coast Park, Singapore- 654381 Tel no.: 65174532

1.

The Fun City is a ___________. (1) holiday resort (2) theme park (3) playground (4) city ( ) To catch the Special Attraction, visitors should visit the theme park ___________. (1) every Saturday of every month. (2) the second Saturday of every month (3) all weekends and public holidays (4) everyday after December 2009 ( ) According to the advertisement, the main advantage of going to the theme park between 2pm and 5pm on weekdays is that one would be able ___________. (1) to buy concessionary tickets (2) to see the amazing acrobats (3) to enjoy the fun and excitement (4) to get free tickets ( The main purpose of the advertisement is to ___________. (1) promote The Fun City (2) allow more quality time with family (3) give the address and telephone number of the theme park (4) encourage fun activities ( ) The theme park is closed on every third Saturday of the month for ___________. (1) for the acrobats to practice in the park (2) attracting more people to the park on other days (3) maintenance and repair (4) to give an additional holiday to the staff (

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. This book is _____ accurate guide to popular parks on _____ west coast. (1) a, an (2) a, the (3) an, the (4) an, -( )

7.

The group of hunters was fortunate. They did not encounter ______ difficulty in tracking down the killer tiger. (1) some (2) many (3) much (4) a little (

8.

Ron wants to be self-sufficient. He has planted ______ fruit trees and vegetables in his garden. (1) a lot of (2) a large amount of (3) a great deal of (4) much ( ) ______ with the job, we packed our tools. (1) To satisfy (2) (3) Satisfy (4) Satisfied Satisfying ( )

9.

10.

We ______ last night, but we went to the concert instead. (1) must have studied (2) should have studied (3) might study (4) would study ( ) Mat ______ be lazy but he is certainly not stupid. (1) needn't (2) should (3) mustn't (4) may ( ) Keep the food covered ______ the flies will contaminate it. (1) or (2) until (3) and (4) though ( )

11.

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) Ring (13) The school bell had rung deafeningly. It echoed through our house, rudely jerking me from my pleasant slumber. As a week-old lizard, I had not yet grown oblivious to this unnatural sound, unlike my parents, who were still snoring away peacefully in their nests. Be quiet (14) bell! I muttered. I do not understand why humans put up with the likes of you. Everyday you ring, and those poor humans have to listen to you, obediently coming to school. Although humans have great power, they obviously have no brains. Lizards would have protested a long time ago! I glided soundlessly from my nest, cursing the bell, and the idea struck me. Why dont I go 3

exploring (15) Mum and Dad would never know! I whispered, already scurrying towards the front door. 13. (1) (3) [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas [ . ] full stop and inverted commas (2) (4) [ . ] full stop [ , ] comma and inverted commas ( 14. (1) (3) [ . ] full stop [ , ] comma (2) (4) [ . ] full stop and inverted commas [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas ( )

15.

(1) (3)

[ ! ] exclamation mark [ , ] comma

(2) (4)

[ ? ] question mark and inverted commas [ ? ] question mark ( )

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. Please send my ________ to James for not attending his birthday party. (1) regards (2) apologies (3) sorry (4) regret ( 17. ) The new lecture theatre in the National University of Singapore has a seating _____ of 1,000. (1) capacity (2) space (3) mass (4) arrangement ( ) Mrs Wongs hands were badly _______ by the hot oil from the stove. (1) scalded (2) burnt (3) bruised (4) heated ( 19. The school children _________ from the school bus in an orderly manner. (1) disembarked (2) dismounted (3) alighted (4) descended ( ) )

18.

20.

Ginas proposal to visit the old folks home received a/an ________ response. (1) enthusiastic (2) appreciative (3) alarming (4) strong (

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) When I was twelve or thirteen years old, an uncle of mine who gave me my love for books and pictures promised to take me upon a (21) memorable expedition. I was to go with him to the top of the tower of Old Saint Lawrence in Rotterdam. For the first time in my life I was (22) confronted by the phenomenon of audible silence. When we had climbed the first flight of stairs, I added another discovery to my limited knowledge of natural phenomena--that of (23) tangible darkness. A match showed us where the upward road continued. We went to the next floor and then to the next and the next until I had lost count and then there came still another floor, and suddenly we had plenty of light. This floor was on an even height with the roof of the church, and it was used as a storeroom. Covered with many inches of dust, there lay the (24) abandoned symbols of a venerable faith which had been discarded by the good people of the city many years ago. That which had meant life and death to our ancestors was here reduced to junk and rubbish. The (25) industrious rat had built his nest among the carved images and the ever watchful spider had opened up shop between the outspread arms of a kindly saint. Adapted from The History of Mankind by Hendrik Van Loon 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) unforgettable inspiring confused conform imaginary real deserted many (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) discovering exciting ( 22. met quiet ( 23. semi black ( 24. deserved abundant ( 5 ) ) ) )

25.

(1) (3)

clever lazy

(2) (4)

hardworking shy ( )

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. The History of the Coffee plant The history of the spread of the coffee plant is closely related to the early history of coffee drinking. Careful research discloses that most authorities agree that the coffee plant is indigenous to Abyssinia, and probably Arabia, where its cultivation spread throughout the tropics. The first trustworthy mention of the properties and uses of the plant is by an Arabian physician toward the close of the ninth century A.D. It is reasonable to suppose that before that time the plant was found growing wild in Abyssinia and perhaps in Arabia. If that is true, as Ludolphus writes, that the Abyssinians came out of Arabia into Ethiopia in the early ages, it is possible that they may have brought the coffee tree with them. But the Arabians must still be given the credit for discovering and promoting the use of the beverage, and also for promoting the propagation of the plant, even if they found it in Abyssinia and brought it to Yemen. The discovery of coffee resulted in the cultivation of the plant in Abyssinia and in Arabia; but its progress was slow until the 15th and 16th centuries. At this time it appears as intensively cultivated in the Yemen district of Arabia. The Arabians were jealous of their new found and profitable industry, and for a time successfully prevented its spread to other countries. They did so by not permitting any of the precious berries to leave the country unless they had first been steeped in boiling water or parched, so as to destroy their powers of germination. For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. The Coffee plant is indigenous to? (1) Abyssinia (2) Arabia (3) Both of the above (4) None of the above ( )

27.

What do you think indigenous mean? (1) native (2) fake (3) related (4) not found ( ) When was the first reliable mention of Coffee? (1) The fifteenth century (2) The ninth century AD (3) The ninth century BC (4) The sixteenth century AD. ( ) Who deserves the credit for propagating the use of coffee? (1) The Arabians (2) The Abyssinians (3) Both of the above (4) The Ethiopians ( ) Which of the following is true? (1) The Arabians were very generous with the export of coffee (2) The Arabians were possessive of the coffee berries (3) The coffee was known worldwide by the sixteenth century (4) None of the above ( )

28.

29.

30.

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (10 marks) (A)who (B)himself (C)of (D)in (E)while (F)but (G)across (H)your (J)as (K)was (L)them (M)yours (N)and (P)mine (Q)our

An Ant nimbly running about (31) ______ the sunshine in search of food when it came (32)_________ a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, (33)_____ then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!

(34) _____ I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in (35) ________ shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalis heard all this, (36) _____ did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents; he felt (37) _______ suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings (38) ______ a beautiful Butterfly. "Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb (39) ______ long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, (40) ____ soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever. Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. Golf originated by (41) _______a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Then, the players will usually hit a pebble along a natural kause (42)_________of sand dunes, rabbit tracks and tracks by (43)________a stick and a primitive club. The populareety (44)________ of golf soon spread quickly and the upper class were (45)_____ often seen tees (46)________ off on a Saturday afternoon at the many clubs which had spring (47)____________up. The first official refrieance (48) _________ to golf was in the historic town of St Andrews. The Andrew Society of Golfers was formed to compete in a competation (49) ____________. Now, every four years, players all over the world gather to play for a - trofee (50) _________ known as the St Andrews cup.

Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) Different kinds of creatures swim in different ways. Penguins, for example, swim with their (51) _______. Though the wings of these birds work well (52) _______, they are too narrow to support them in the air and cannot be used for (53) _______. The penguin is the only (54) _______ that uses its wings to 'fly' through the (55) _______. Shrimps, lobster and their relatives swim backwards. They move by flicking their fanlike (56) _______. When these tails move forward, they push (57) _______ the water and drive the creatures backwards. In (58) _______ to their tails, shrimps also have little paddles on their sides which (59) _______ them to swim forward. Squids also swim (60) _______, but in another way. They draw in water and then squirt (61) _______ out through a tube under their large, goggle-like eyes. This propels them backwards. They can swim much (62) _______ than fish of the same size. They are sometimes (63) _______ "sea-arrows" because of their shape and speed. A jellyfish is not a true (64) _______ because it does not have a backbone. The jellyfish swims near the (65) ______ of the water by alternately spreading and closing their soft umbrella-shaped body. As the jellyfish glides silently through the water, its slender tentacles and lacy streamers trail behind. For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. The old lady was wearing a lot of jewellery. She was robbed. who

67.

The trip to Batam was cancelled. It was due to the stormy weather. that

68.

Joo Kai likes eating fried noodles. Joo Kai likes eating pizzas even more. Joo Kai

69.

James, did you go to the museum yesterday? asked Daisy. Daisy asked

70.

Leave my books alone, Gillian said to her sister. Gillian told her sister

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) The History of Furniture It was during the reign of Henry III., 1216-1272, that wood-panelling was used for rooms for the first time. Considerable progress generally appeared to have been made about this period. Eleanor of Provence, whom the King married in 1236, encouraged more luxury in the homes of the barons and courtiers. Mr. Hungerford Pollen quoted a royal rule which was announced officially that year, and it plainly showed that our ancestors were becoming more refined in their tastes. The terms of this rule were as follows, viz., "the King's great chamber at Westminster be painted a green colour like a curtain, a French inscription should be painted, and that the King's little wardrobe should be painted of a

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green colour to imitate a curtain." In another 100 to 150 years, we find mediaeval Art approaching its best period, not only in England, but in the great Flemish cities, such as Bruges and Ghent, which in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries played so important a part in the history of that time. The taste for Gothic architecture had now well set in. We find that in this, as in every change of lifestyle, the fashion in woodwork naturally followed that of ornament in stone; Indeed, in many cases it is more than probable that the same hands which planned the cathedral or monastery also drew the designs for furniture, especially as the finest specimens of wood-carving were devoted to the service of the church. Towards the end of the fourteenth century there was in high quarters a taste for bright and rich colouring; we have the testimony of an old writer who describes the interior of the Hotel de Bohme. This Hotel, after having been the residence of several great personages was given by Charles VI of France in 1388 to his brother the Duke of Orleans. The skilled artisans of Paris had arrived at a very high degree of excellence in the fourteenth century, and in old documents describing valuable articles of furniture, care is taken to note that they are of Parisian workmanship. All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. When was wood panelling first used?

72.

Who was the Eleanor of Provence? What change did she bring about?

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73.

What evidence was there that our ancestors were becoming more refined in their tastes?

74.

According to the passage when did medieval art approach its best period?

75.

What did the fashion in woodwork follow?

76.

Who received the services of the finest wood-carvers?

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77.

What was special about the Hotel de Bohme?

78.

Why did old documents describing valuable articles of furniture often made it a point to mention that they were of Parisian workmanship?

79.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as message/writing?

80.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as duplicate?

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Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 2

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

QUACKY DUCK TOURS

A BOAT ON WHEELS! CONQUER THE LAND AND THE SEA

A combined City and Harbour Tour on a Military Amphibious Craft!

Waddling on both land and water, a boat with monstrous wheels! A once in a lifetime opportunity!

The thrilling Duck Tours of America, Europe and Australia Now in Singapore!

Duck Tour starting point: Suntec City Mall Galleria Duration: One hour Daily 10am 7pm Advance phone reservation available!

Edutainment, a thrill ride and a show on wheels by the wacky Duck crew! Admission $33 / adult $15/child 25 Quackies per Tour!

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1.

A child on the Duck Tour _______ (1) is allowed to travel only on land (2) pays a $15.00 admission fee (3) gains free entry to the Duck Tour (4) has to be accompanied by an adult to gain free entry ( ) The Duck Tour is conducted _______ (1) from Mondays to Fridays only (2) on public holidays only (3) on weekend only (4) everyday ( ) During the tour, you can _______ (1) tour the city area only (2) swim near the harbour (3) experience edutainment (4) travel on land only ( ) If you intend to get tickets to the Duck Tour, it is advisable to _______ (1) contact Duck Tours (2) get them from the Duck crews (3) visit the Singapore Tourism Board (4) get them at the Suntec City Mall (Galleria) ( ) Which of the following statements is true? (1) The tour takes two hours. (2) The Duck can accommodate up to 20 people. (3) The Duck is also Singapores military transportation. (4) Singapore is the only country in Asia to offer Duck Tours. ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Read over your answers ______ correct all mistakes before you pass them up. (1) or (2) because (3) and (4) while ( ____________ the teacher explained the lesson several time, some of the students still did not understand it. (1) Although (2) Unless (3) Even if (4) Since ( 15

7.

8.

There are many directors __________ Mary. (1) more senior (2) (3) senior (4)

senior than senior to ( )

9.

He spends ______ his time watching television. (1) many of (2) a few of (3) a great deal of (4) a large number of ( ) The baby-sitter ______ looks after our baby is also our neighbour. (1) that (2) whose (3) who (4) whom ( ) When she was a child, she ______ very bright, was she? (1) wasn't (2) didn't (3) weren't (4) hadn't ( ) You haven't been to Beijing, have you? ______ . How I wish to go there! (1) Yes, I have (3) Yes, I haven't

10.

11.

12.

(2) (4)

No, I have No, I haven't ( )

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) Who are you (13) Where am I? my voice shook. The dragon crouched down, tail swishing impatiently, I am Inferno, leader of the Clan of Fire. This is the magical land of Wildefew. Now get on my back, hurry (14) Startled by the urgency in his voice, I scrambled up Infernos back (15) fear mingling with excitement. Inferno soared through the sky like a thunderbolt. Throwing away my usual inhibitions, I laughed in delight as the wind blew on my face. Inferno pulled up over the grassy clearing and, then shot downwards like a bullet before landing lightly. Ahhh! I screamed as the wind rushed past me. I tumbled off him, my legs like jelly.

16

13

(1) (3)

[ ? ] question mark

(2) (4)

[ ! ] exclamation mark [ . ] full stop ( )

[ ? ] question mark and inverted commas

14.

(1) (3)

[ ! ] exclamation mark (2) [ ! ] exclamation mark and (4) inverted commas [ ; ] semi-colon [ . ] full stop (2) (4)

[ , ] comma [ . ] full stop ( )

15.

(1) (3)

[ , ] comma [ ? ] question mark ( )

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. Lisas parents _________ with pride as she went up stage to receive her prize. (1) looked on (2) looked down (3) looked at (4) looked up ( Linda had no choice but to _______ to Daisys request to let her attend the party. (1) accede (2) accept (3) exceed (4) agreed ( It is to Johns credit that he can survive under such ________ conditions. (1) averse (2) adverse (3) favourable (4) unlikely ( 19. ) The unemployment rate has increased in recent months due to the economic _____. (1) decline (2) downsize (3) downturn (4) performance ( ) The little boy managed to ________ the bullies who were hot on his heels by hiding behind a bush. (1) elucidate (2) allude (3) avoid (4) elude ( )

17.

18.

20.

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For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) The next floor showed us from where we had (21) derived our light. Enormous open windows with heavy iron bars made the high and (22) barren room the roosting place of hundreds of pigeons. The wind blew through the iron bars and the air was filled with a (23) weird and pleasing music. It was the noise of the town below us, but a noise which had been purified and cleansed by the distance. The rumbling of heavy carts and the clinking of horses' hoofs, the winding of cranes and pulleys, the hissing sound of the (24) patient steam which had been set to do the work of man in a thousand different ways--they had all been (25) blended into a softly rustling whisper which provided a beautiful background for the trembling cooing of the pigeons. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) given neglected huge beautiful unfamiliar different flowing persevering bless mended (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) gained obstruct ( 22. enormous bare ( 23. uncanny delightful ( 24. winding sick ( 25. created melded ( Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. The Bees And Wasps, And The Hornet A store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the Wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The Bees were just as sure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very pointed, and it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a ) ) ) ) )

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battle, when at last, with much good sense, they agreed to let a judge decide the matter. So they brought the case before the Hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the woods. When the Judge called the case, witnesses declared that they had seen certain winged creatures in the neighbourhood of the hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, yellow and black, like Bees. Counsel for the Wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his clients exactly. Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to reach a decision, so he adjourned court for six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up again, both sides had a large number of witnesses. An Ant was first to take the stand, and was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee addressed the Court. "Your honour," he said, "the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the Bees and the Wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon see to whom the honey really belongs." The Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why they did so: They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with honey. "It is clear," said the Judge, "who made the comb and who could not have made it. The honey belongs to the Bees." For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. What was being contested by the Bees and Wasps? (1) The hollow tree (2) A store of honey (3) The forest. (4) None of the above. ( 27. Which of the following statements is false? (1) The Honey belonged to the Bees (2) The Honey belonged to the Wasps. (3) The Bees were striped yellow and black. (4) The Judge Hornet was a fair Judge. ( ) )

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28.

What did the Judge do when he could not take a decision? (1) He ruled in favour of the Wasps. (2) He ruled in favour of the Bees. (3) He adjourned court for six weeks. (4) He called off the case. ( ) How did Judge Hornet make his decision? (1) He believed the eye-witnesses who said they had seen the Bees near the tree. .He believed the eye-witnesses who said they had seen the Wasps near the (2) tree He based his judgement on the Wasps objections to the Bees proposal that (3) both be instructed to build a honey comb. (4) He asked the Bees and Wasps to build a honey comb. ( ) Pick a word from the passage which means the same as awaiting (1) pending (2) resulting (3) deciding (4) hanging ( )

29.

30.

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (10 marks) (A)in (B)himself (C)of (D) all (E) up (F)but (G) was (H)your (J)as (K) for (L)them (M) into (N) to (P) after (Q) by

Tom and me found the money that the robbers hid (31) _____ the cave, and it made us rich. We got six thousand dollars apiece all gold. It was an awful lot of money when it was piled (32) ______. Well, Judge Thatcher he took it and put it in the bank and it fetched us a dollar a day apiece all the year roundmore than anybody could tell what to do with. The Widow Douglas she took me (33) ______ her son, and made it her goal to civilize me; but it was rough living in the house (34) ______ the time, considering how dismally regular and decent the widow (35) ____ in all her ways; and so when I couldn't stand it no longer I left. I got (36) _____ my old rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and

20

was free and satisfied. But Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going (37) ______ start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable. So I went back. The widow she cried over me, and called me a poor lost lamb, and she called me a lot of other names, too, but she never meant no harm (38) ______ it. She put me in them new clothes again, and I couldn't do nothing (39) _______ sweat and sweat, and feel all cramped up. Well, then, the old thing commenced again. The widow rung a bell for supper, and you had to come to time. When you got to the table you couldn't go right to eating, but you had to wait for the widow to tuck down her head and grumble a little over the food. (40) _______supper, she got out her book and teach me about Moses and the Bulrushers, and I was in a sweat to find out all about him; but by and by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time; so then I didn't care no more about him, because I don't take no stock in dead people. Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. (10 marks) Watch how I rowed (41) ________ and try to follow me! instructed the father as he steers (42) _________ the canoe with confedance (43) __________. Soon, they were gliding smoothly into the open sea. Sam savoured the fleeting moments of seranity (44) ___________ as the wind caressed his face gently. Then he reached out to touches (45) ________the ripples that the oars had created. As they headed for (46) _______further into the vast, open sea, Sam looked back and the shore was no longer in sight. He felt an uneasy sense of vulnerblity (47) ________creeping into him. Contrary to their expectations, the traquil (48) ________

21

waters started to turn choppy and in the next few seconds, they encountered strong currents which arrived suddenly. Then a two metres high swell rocked their canoe merclessy (49) ___________and it turned turtle! Sam and his father plunged along (50) ______ the unforgiving sea and struggled desperately to stay afloat. Adapted from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) Jake was a (51) ___________ bully in our school and to make matters (52) _________, Jake was in my class. He loved playing nasty (53) _________ on others and often made the girls cry with his (54)__________ remarks. He was so (55) ___________ mean that everyone in school avoided him like (56) _________. Despite getting severe (57)__________ and harsh reprimands from teachers and some parents, he was not in the (58)___________ deterred and resumed causing more exasperation for his (59) __________. Once, Jake hid Marks wallet in the boys toilet which (60)________ off a frantic search. After much probing, Jake finally admitted that he was the (61) __________. On another occasion, he poured superglue over Kellys beautiful hair stealthily from (62)_________ and the results were horrendous! Kellys hair was irreparably (63)_________ and she had to cut her hair short! The entire class including Kelly and her parents were grossly outraged by this (64)______ of cruelty. It was appalling to learn that Jake felt no (65)__________ at all for his deplorable actions and he actually enjoyed causing agony to his classmates.

22

For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. Jenny did not expect George to behave in that manner. She was shocked. so that

67.

Leela could have won the badminton match. She needed to be more focused. If

68.

The teacher entrusted Peter with the books. Peter is the class monitor. whom

69.

John scolded us. John is here. who

70.

I have not slept for many days. I am tired. because

23

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) Tom's mind was made up now. He was gloomy and desperate. He was a forsaken, friendless boy. Nobody loved him; when his Aunt found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but she would not let him; since nothing would do for her but to be rid of him, let it be so. And let her blame him for the consequences--why shouldn't she? What right had the friendless to complain? Yes, she had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime. There was no choice. By this time he was far down Meadow Lane, and the bell for school to "take up" tinkled faintly upon his ear. He sobbed, now, to think he should never, never hear that old familiar sound any more--it was very hard, but it was forced on him; since he was driven out into the cold world, he must submit--but he forgave them. Then the sobs came thick and fast. Just at this point he met his soul's sworn friend, Joe Harper - hard-eyed, and with evidently a great and dismal purpose in his heart. Plainly here were "two souls with but a single thought." Tom, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, began to blubber out something about a resolution to escape from hard usage and lack of sympathy at home by roaming abroad into the great world never to return; and ended by hoping that Joe would not forget him. But it so happened that this was a request which Joe had just been going to make of Tom, and had come to hunt him up for that purpose. His mother had whipped him for drinking some cream which he had never tasted and knew nothing about; it was plain that she was tired of him and wished him to go; if she felt that way, there was nothing for him to do but succumb; he hoped she would be happy, and never regret having driven her poor boy out into the unfeeling world to suffer and die. As the two boys walked sorrowing along, they made a new pact to stand by each other and be brothers and never separate till death relieved them of their troubles. Then they began to lay their plans. Joe was for being a hermit, and living on crusts in a remote cave, and dying, some time, of cold and want and grief; but after listening to Tom, he agreed that there were some obvious advantages about a life of crime, and so he consented to be a pirate.

24

All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. Why was Tom sad and down-hearted?

72.

Whom did he blame for driving him to a life of crime?

73.

What made Tome sob?

74.

Why did Tom consider Joe Harper to be his sworn friend?

75.

What was Joe going to ask of Tom?

25

76.

Why did Joe feel that his mother wanted him to go away?

77.

What did Joe hope for?

78.

What pact did the two boys make?

79.

Write a word(s) which has the same meaning as declaration?

80.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as to give in?

26

Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 3

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

20% OFF Food & Beverages exclusively for ABC Credit Card Holders at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Offer valid from 10 am 4 pm till Dec 2009 Payment must be made with
ABC Credit Card
Not valid with other promotions/discounts
Only at Outlet at: 154 West Coast Road, West Coast Plaza ,#B1-55/56 Singapore 127371 Tel : 65175348

27

1.

The offer is exclusive for _______. (1) The Coffee Bean customers (2) ABC Bank customers (3) Tea Leaf customers (4) Food and Beverages customers ( ) The main aim of this promotion is to _______. (1) encourage people to eat more pastries (2) make the customers richer (3) make customers buy more coffee and tea (4) promote the use of ABC Credit Cards ( ) The offer is valid at ____________. all Coffee Bean outlets (1) with $20 spent at The Coffee Bean outlet (2) if reservation is made before 10 am (3) the West Coast Plaza Coffee Bean outlet (4) ( ) ABC Credit Card holders enjoy 20% off _______. (1) on all promotions at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (2) only on weekends till Dec2009 (3) on all food and beverages (4) only on beverages ( ) Which statement about the advertisement is false? (1) Offer is valid only from 10am- 4pm. (2) Offer is valid for all credit card holders. (3) 20% off on all food and beverages for ABC credit card holders. (4) Offer is not valid for other promotions/ discounts. ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Nobody dares to challenge him, ______ ? (1) have they (2) (3) has he (4) do they does he ( 7. The books in this library may be classified _________ fiction and non-fiction. (1) into (2) as (3) for (4) of ( 28 )

8.

Melbourne is larger than __________ city in Australia. (1) any (2) other (3) any other (4) the ( ) There is widespread unemployment all ______ the country. (1) in (2) over (3) about (4) around ( ) Jamie is ___________ Peter _____ five years ago. (1) as tall as .. --(2) more tall than.. --(3) as tall as .. was (4) more taller .. is ( ) "Next Saturday is a very ________ day; it is Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary. Let's throw them a surprise party !" Alan suggested to his siblings. (1) most special (2) special (3) more special (4) as special ( ) I play _____ piano and enjoy listening to _____ music. (1) a, an (2) the, -(3) an, the (4) the, the ( )

9.

10.

11.

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) During dinner, Sandy sat with Mr. Pierce at the table on the far left of the room. Mr. Peterson was eating with Mr. Brown and Mr. John. Sandy heard snatches of their conversation. I heard that once there was a nurse that let her patient die due to negligence, Mr. Peterson was saying. That nurse ought to be punished severely and no one should trust someone like her again, dont you agree Brown, being a nurse yourself (13) Mr. Brown flinched involuntarily. Then, Mr. Brown gave a small exclamation (14) Already eight? I have to run off to give Mr. Pierces father his medicine! Theres a shortcut to the entrance, suggested Mr. Pierce, But be careful of the thorny bushes at the side of the path! He pointed with his finger to a small (15) dark path branching away from the main path.

29

13.

(1) (3)

[ ? ] question mark and inverted commas [ ] inverted commas [ ] inverted commas [ ; ] semi-colon and inverted commas [ , ] comma [ ; ] semi-colon

(2) (4) (2) (4)

[ , ] comma [ . ] full stop ( ) [, ] comma and inverted commas [ , ] comma ( )

14.

(1) (3)

15.

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

[ : ] colon [ . ] full stop ( )

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. Although she insisted that she was innocent, there is always a _________ doubt that Jane was the person who stole the money. (1) potential (2) lingering (3) likely (4) possible ( ) Peter is an honest boy; hence, it is wrong of you to question his ___________. (1) capability (2) dedication (3) ability (4) integrity (

17.

18.

With an ________ in the cases of food poisoning, we must take extra care to ensure that all food is properly cooked. (1) upsurge (2) upshot (3) uprising (4) uproar ( ) The _________ drought in Africa has caused widespread hardship. (1) severe (2) fatal (3) horrible (4) malignant ( ) It is ___________ that 50% of the population is overweight. (1) expected (2) estimated (3) created (4) predicted ( )

19.

20.

30

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) (21) Frustrated with having to put up with Jake and his nonsense, the whole class had (22) conspired together to teach him a lesson so (23) harsh that he would never forget. They decided to hide his science practical book. When the science teacher asked then to hand in their work, Jake realised that his book was missing. Mr Tan did not believe Jake despite his insistence that he had done his work. To the (24) amusement of the class, Jake was made to stand outside the classroom and for the first time, he felt (24) humiliated. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) suppressed prevented constituted colluded loud abrasive joke delight sad mortified (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) annoyed pleased ( 22. collided constructed ( 23. severe brightly ( 24. enchantment laughter ( 25. pitiful unhappy ( Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. The Cat, The Cock, And The Young Mouse A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out. And this is the recount of his adventure as he told it to his mother. "I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen him. On top of his head and in front of his neck, were hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about 31 ) ) ) ) )

restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death." Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Cock and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen. "If it had not been for that terrible monster," the Mouse went on, "I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, which looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me, he waved his fine long tail and smiled. "I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life." "My son," said the Mother Mouse, "that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kind appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird which wouldn't harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks." For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. What does the phrase come to grief means? (1) to be happy (2) to meet with calamity (3) to be scared (4) to meet with bravery ( 27. Who were the two creatures the rat had seen? (1) A Cat and a man (2) A Rat and a Man (3) Two Cats (4) A Cat and a Rooster ( ) )

32

28.

What was the rats initial impression of the bird? (1) It looked scary and frightening (2) It looked gentle and good (3) The rat did not see the bird (4) It looked the same as it. . ( ) What did the Rat think when he saw the Cat? (1) It looked gentle and good (2) The Rat did not see the Cat. (3) It looked frightening (4) It looked scary because of the pieces of raw meat hung on its head ( ) What is the moral of the story? (1) Look closely at people. (2) Dont venture out in the world (3) Dont judge anyone based on appearances. (4) Dont approach anyone. ( )

29.

30.

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A)shuttles (B)due (C)space (D)because (E)would (F)visiting (G)outside (H)as (J)inside (K)visited (L)from (M)at (N)centre (P)station (Q)will

Until now, when astronauts on the International Space Station needed to go (31)____________ on a spacewalk, they had to wait until the (32)____________ Shuttle was (33) ____________. That's (34)____________ the (35)____________ doesn't have an airlock that works with U.S. spacesuits. Astronauts have to wait for the Shuttle to dock with the Station, then use the (36) ____________ airlock. But that will all change with STS-104, the latest mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis, (37)____________ to launch tomorrow(38) _____ NASA's Kennedy Space (39) ____________. Using the Station's new robotic Canadarm2, the crew (40) ____________ install a new airlock on the Station's Unity module.

33

Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. (10 marks) Many people had (41) ________ always wondered about the old and derlect (42) ___________ house at the end of Sago Street. Rumours spreaded (43) __________that the house have been left vaccant (44) ___________ since World War Two and that strange lights emmanated (45) ____________ from the windows on stormy nights. To satisfy our curosity (46) __________, Dave and I make (47) ________a pact to explore the mysterious house together. We crept through a broken fence and trudged clumsily by (48) __________a lawn full of overgrown weeds till we reached the front porch. The wooden door swung eerily on one of its hinges in the hot and still afternoon, as if beckoning us to enter. We plucked up our courage and stepped into the house and were both hit with (49) _______ a sharp pang of musty smell. Two rats sccuried (50) _________ past us and vanished into the darkness beyond. The pieces of furniture draped in white cloth seemed to have come alive in our presence and a nauseating stench drifted past our nostrils. As we tiptoed into the house, we saw a mysterious trail of footprints on the dusty floor. Dave broke the silence with a sudden sneeze as his nose was sensitive to dust. Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) Heavy rain (51) _________ down mercilessly as blinding (52) ___________ of lightning flashed (53)___________ the sky. Completely drenched and (54) ___________ with cold, Mabel who had gone for a (55) __________ stroll on a deserted (56) ___________ of road knew that she had to seek (57)___________ immediately. Another flash of lightning lit up the forbidding outline of a house. The wind (58)__________ like a

34

pack of hungry wolves as the storm intensified. Mabel had no choice but to seek (59) ___________ in the dilapidated house. A strange gust of wind flung open the door as if it knew about Mabels arrival. With her heart (60) __________ wildly, Mabel stepped into the house. Suddenly, the door (61)___________ shut which made Mabel jumped in fright as the eerie darkness (62)____________ her. She was all alone now or so she thought. A musty smell (63)____________ pervaded the living room and the occasional flashes of lightning lit up the room momentarily through a tiny window. Terrified, Mabel was (64) __________ to get out again but decided (65) ____________ it as the rain battered harder at the window. As curiosity got the better of her, Mabel decided to climb up the stairs to explore the house. For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. The computer is a very useful machine. The computer can only perform a specific task if it is programmed to do so. Though

67.

James does not like to swim. He likes to play computer games. rather

35

68.

Jenny did not know the answer to the question. Her group members do not know the answer to the question too. Neither

69.

Peter loves to eat mushrooms. He did not pluck the wild mushrooms in the jungle which he suspected were poisonous. No matter

70.

Terrences examination begins in an hours time. Terrence is still in bed. but

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) Why The Princess Slept A Hundred Years A king and queen once upon a time reigned in a country a great way off, where there were in those days fairies. Now this king and queen had plenty of money, and plenty of fine clothes to wear, and plenty of good things to eat and drink, and a coach to ride out in every day: But though they had been married many years they had no children. This grieved them very much indeed. But one day as the queen was walking by the side of the river, at the bottom of the garden, she saw a poor little fish that had thrown itself out of the water, and lay gasping on the bank. Then the queen took pity on the little fish, and threw it back again into the river; and before it swam away it lifted its head out of the water and said, 'I know what your wish is, and it shall be fulfilled. In return for your kindness to me--you will soon have a daughter.' What the little fish had foretold soon come to pass. The queen had a little girl, so very beautiful that the king could not cease looking on her for joy. The king decided to hold a great feast and make merry, and show the child to 36

all the land. So he asked his kinsmen, and nobles, and friends, and neighbours. But the queen said, 'I will have the fairies also, that they might be kind and good to our little daughter.' Now there were thirteen fairies in the kingdom; but as the king and queen had only twelve golden dishes for them to eat out of, they were forced to leave out one of the fairies. So twelve fairies came; they each wore a high red cap on their head, and red shoes with high heels on their feet, and a long white wand in their hand. After the feast was over they gathered round in a ring and gave all their best gifts to the little princess. One gave her goodness, another beauty, another riches, and so on till she had all that was good in the world. Just as eleven of them had done blessing her, a great noise was heard in the courtyard, and word was brought that the thirteenth fairy had come, with a black cap on her head, and black shoes on her feet, and a broomstick in her hand: Presently, up she came into the dining-hall. Now, as she had not been asked to the feast she was very angry. She scolded the king and queen and set to work to take her revenge. She cried out, 'The king's daughter shall, in her fifteenth year, be wounded by a spindle, and fall down dead.' Then the twelfth of the friendly fairies, who had not yet given her gift, came forward, and said that the evil wish must be fulfilled, but that she could soften its mischief; So her gift was that the king's daughter, when the spindle wounded her should not really die, but should only fall asleep for a hundred years. All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. Why were the King and Queen unhappy?

37

72.

Why did the fish want to repay the Queens kindness?

73.

How did the fish repay the kindness the Queen had shown it?

74.

Why did the king decided to hold a great feast and to invite his kinsmen, and nobles, and friends, and neighbours to the feast?

75.

Why did the Queen want to invite the fairies as well?

38

76.

Why did the King invite only twelve fairies?

77.

What was the Thirteenth Fairys curse?

78.

Why did the author made the Thirteenth fairy wear a black cap and black shoes while the other twelfth fairies wore red caps and red shoes?

79.

Which phrase in the passage has the same meaning as happen?

80.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as out of breath?

39

Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 4

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

OUTDOOR SPORTS CLUB News

FISHING Date : 7 Oct, Sat Venue : Punggol Point Fee : $ 50 (Inclusive of 2 seafood meals) Limited to first twenty anglers. Sign up now! *Bring your own rods WINDSURFING Date: 21-22 Oct, Sat and Sun Venue: East Coast Club Fee: $80 (club membership) Only for the first 15 lucky people!

To register, please send an email to osccampaign@ssc.org specifying Name, Address and Contact number. Alternatively, call the OSC Executives at 65153478 between 10am and 4pm at least one week before the commencement of activities.

SPEEDBOAT RIDES Enjoy the thrilling speedboat rides around the Southern Islands! Held every weekend in September. Fee : $ 75 only

LET THE EXCITEMENT BEGIN!

40

1.

This advertisement is published by the _______. (1) Peoples Association (2) Outdoor Sports Club (3) Singapore Sports Council (4) Health Lifestyle Campaign ( ) John who is enjoying his school holidays in October can sign up for _______. (1) fishing and speedboat rides (2) windsurfing and speedboat rides (3) fishing and windsurfing (4) speedboat rides ( The organizers will provide the anglers with _______. (1) one-year membership (2) the fishing rods (3) speedboat rides around the islands (4) a seafood lunch and dinner ( ) Which one of the following statements is true? (1) Every activity organized is suitable for applicants of all ages (2) The fun activities are organized by the different organizations (3) All applications must be submitted one week before the activities begin (4) There is no quota on the number of applicants for all activities. ( The main purpose of organizing these activities is to promote _______. (1) healthy living (2) the fun activities (3) water sports (4) the clubs programs ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Mr. Ho is _____ manager of Sunrise Foods, _____ big company. (1) a, the (2) the, the (3) --, a (4) the, a ( 7. I left a few pieces of ______ in my aunt's house after the holidays. (1) cloth (2) clothes (3) cloths (4) clothing ( 41 ) )

8.

_________ members of the society voted against the motion to force the president to resign. (1) Much (2) Plenty of (3) Many (4) A great deal of ( ) It __________ every afternoon for the past week. The weather forecast predicts rain for next week too. (1) is raining (2) has been raining (3) was raining (4) had been raining ( ) The price _________, but I doubt that it will remain so. (1) went down (2) has gone down (3) will go down (4) was going down ( ) He made a lot of money ___________ and __________ houses. (1) buy, sell (2) to buy, to sell (3) buying, selling (4) to buy, selling ( ) The ______ committee members received a round of applause. (1) elect (2) electing (3) elected (4) to elect ( )

9.

10.

11.

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) After Mr. Brown had completed his daily routine of dusting the whole house, he visited his sixteen hens in the coop. They were all very healthy, and were his pride and joy. Hello there, my lovely hens! called Mr. Brown breezily as he stepped gingerly into the coop. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen (13) I have fifteen lovely healthy hens. He said to himself. Just then, he realized that something was odd and counted his hens again. There were fifteen hens. I thought I had sixteen hens (14) Mr. Brown muttered, confused. Perhaps someone has stolen my hen! A name immediately formed in his mind. Tom, my cheeky neighbour must have stolen my hen (15) He concluded. 13. (1) (3) [ , ] comma [ . ] full stop (2) (4) [ . ] full stop and inverted commas [ , ] comma and inverted commas ( )

42

14.

(1) (3)

[ . ] full stop [ , ] comma

(2) (4)

[ , ] comma and inverted commas [ . ] full stop and inverted commas ( ) [ ! ] exclamation mark [ . ] full stop ( )

15.

(1) (3)

[ , ] comma [ , ] comma and inverted commas

(2) (4)

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. The stings of a jellyfish are often powerful enough to ________ small creatures like fish and small crustaceans. (1) paralyze (2) stop (3) inactivate (4) harm ( ) The government decided to __________ security around the palace following demonstrations by protesters. (1) loosened (2) tighten (3) fix (4) put up (

17.

18.

The police arrived on the scene without sounding the siren so as not to ______ the robbers. (1) frighten (2) alert (3) inform (4) anger ( ) The rescue mission was _________ by a heavy mist which reduced visibility for days. (1) hampered (2) obscured (3) prevented (4) obstructed ( The students were ___________ when their teacher gave the instructions for the project. (1) playing by ear (2) grinning from ear to ear (3) all ears (4) many ears (

19.

20.

43

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me? No beggars (21) implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was oclock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind mens dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master! But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human (22) sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call nuts to Scrooge. Once upon a timeof all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eveold Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside, go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them. The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark alreadyit had not been light all dayand candles were flaring in the windows of the neighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the (23) palpable brown air. The fog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole, and was so (24) dense without, that although the court was of the narrowest, the houses opposite were mere phantoms. To see the dingy cloud come drooping down, (25) obscuring everything, one might have thought that Nature lived hard by, and was brewing on a large scale. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) scolded prayed compassion suffering pale strong (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) begged insisted ( 22. feelings sadness ( 23. invisible tangible ( 44 ) ) )

24.

(1) (3) (1) (3)

heavy difficult obliterating obvious

(2) (4) (2) (4)

thin uncomfortable ( ) covering clearing ( )

25.

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. The Wolf and the House dog There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because the dogs of the village were so alert and watchful. He was really nothing but skin and bones, and it made him very downhearted to think of it. One night this Wolf happened to fall in with a fine fat House Dog who had wandered a little too far from home. The Wolf would gladly have eaten him there and then, but the House Dog looked strong enough to leave his mark should he try it. So the Wolf spoke very humbly to the Dog, complimenting him on his fine appearance. "You can be as well-fed as I am if you want to," replied the Dog. "Leave the woods; there you live miserably. Why, you have to fight hard for every bite you get. Follow my example and you will get along beautifully." "What must I do?" asked the Wolf. "Hardly anything," answered the House Dog. "Chase people who carry canes, bark at beggars, and fawn on the people of the house. In return you will get titbits of every kind; chicken bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake, and much more beside, not to speak of kind words and caresses." The Wolf had such a beautiful vision of his coming happiness that he almost wept. But just then he noticed that the hair on the Dog's neck was worn and the skin was chafed. "What is that on your neck?" "Nothing at all," replied the Dog. "But please tell me." "Perhaps you see the mark of the collar to which my chain is fastened." "What! A chain!" cried the Wolf. "Don't you go wherever you please?" "Not always! But what's the difference?" replied the Dog.

45

"All the difference in the world! I don't care a rap for your feasts and I wouldn't take all the tender young lambs in the world at that price." And away ran the Wolf to the woods. For each question from 33 37, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. Why was the Wolf nothing but skin and bones? (1) It was too difficult to find food. The dogs in the village did a good job of helping the farmers keep the animals (2) safe from the wolf. (3) There was no food in that area. (4) The Wolf did not want to eat much. ( ) Which word below has the same meaning as wandered? (1) strayed (2) walked (3) ran away (4) None of the above. ( 28. Why did the Wolf not eat the dog? (1) The Wolf pitied the Dog. (2) The Wolf did not want to eat the Dog (3) The Dog looked too strong for the Wolf to fight it. (4) The Dog had a collar around its neck. ( 29. Which word has the same meaning as fawn? (1) bark (2) scare (3) flatter (4) obey ( 30. What is the moral of the passage? (1) All wolves should become house-dogs. (2) Freedom is the most important thing in life. (3) Dogs like being chained (4) Everyone should fend for themselves. ( ) ) ) )

27.

46

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A) had (B) therefore (C) before (D) through (E) but (F) which (G) whilst (H) of (J) where (K) at (L) among (M) and (N) and (P) has (Q) into

The ancient Greeks (31) _______ several different theories with regard to the origin of the world, (32) _______ the generally accepted notion was that before this world came (33) _________ existence, there was in its place a confused mass (34) _______ shapeless elements called Chaos. These elements becoming (35)________ length consolidated and resolved themselves into two widely different substances, the lighter portion of (36) _______, soaring on high, formed the sky and constituted itself into a vast, overarching vault, which protected the firm and solid mass beneath. Thus came into being the two first great primeval deities of the Greeks, Uranus (37) ______ Gaea. Uranus, the more refined deity, represented the light (38) ______ air of heaven, possessing the distinguishing qualities of light, heat, purity, and omnipresence, (39) _______ Gaea, the firm, flat, life-sustaining earth, was worshipped as the great allnourishing mother. Her many titles refer to her more or less as earthmother, and she appears to have been universally revered (40) ________ the Greeks, there being hardly a city in Greece which did not contain a temple erected in her honour; indeed Gaea was held in such veneration that her name was always invoked whenever the gods took a solemn oath, made an emphatic declaration, or implored assistance. Adapted from The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome by E. M. Bern

47

Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. (10 marks) Some parents have propose (41) _________ that the Ministry of Education of Singapore should abolish the policy of requirring (42) _________ all primary and secondary school students to wore (43) ________school uniforms. These parents argue that such a policy stifling (44) ________ creativity. They also feel that students should not incur the additional costs of buying uniforms. However, other parents argue that while school uniforms may not be popular with everyone, they provide the students with the convenince (45) __________ of knowing exactly what they are going to wear every morning. Students did (46) _______ not have to start the day wandering (47) ___________ what clothes they should wear for the day or which top would (48) ___________match with which bottom. There is no danger of mismatching two articles of clothing; an important considration (49) _________ when one is trying to rush to get to school in the morning. In fact, parents who prefer to have their children wear the school uniform, have pointed that doing away with this policy may result in parents incurring higher costs as their children may feel pressured to buy more clothes just so to impress their schoolmates. If cost is the concern, then parents should appeal to the Ministry of Education to ensure that school uniform vendors do not charge exobitent (50) ______________prices for the uniform.

Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) He was a very silent man by (51) ________. All day he hung round the cove or upon the cliffs with a brass telescope; all evening he sat in a corner of the parlour next to the fire and drank strong rum and water. (52)_________, he would not speak when

48

spoken to, only to look up suddenly and fiercely and blow (53) __________ his nose like a fog-horn; and we and the people who came about our house soon learned to let him be. Every day when he came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road. At first we thought it was the want of (54) __________ of his own kind that made him ask this question, but at last we began to see he was desirous to (55)_________ them. When a seaman did put up at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did, making by the coast road for Bristol) he would look in at him through the curtained door before he (56) _________ the parlour; and he was always sure to be as (57) ___________ as a mouse when any such was present. For me, at least, there was no secret about the matter, for I was, in a way, a sharer in his alarms. He had taken me (58)__________one day and promised me a silver four-penny on the first of every month if I would only keep my "weather-eye open for a seafaring man with one leg" and let him know the moment he appeared. Often enough when the first of the month came round and I applied to him for my wage, he would only blow through his nose at me and stare me (59)___________, but before the week was out he was sure to think better of it, bring me my four-penny piece, and repeat his orders to look out for "the seafaring man with one leg." How that personage haunted my dreams, I need scarcely tell you. On stormy nights, when the wind (60) __________ the four corners of the house and the surf roared along the cove and up the cliffs, I would see him in a thousand forms, and with a thousand diabolical expressions. Now the leg would be cut off at the knee, now at the hip; now he was a monstrous kind of a creature who had never had but the one leg, and that in the middle of his body. To see him leap and run and (61) __________ me over hedge and

49

ditch was the worst of nightmares. And altogether I paid pretty dear for my monthly fourpenny piece, in the shape of these abominable fancies. But though I was so (62) ___________ by the idea of the seafaring man with one leg, I was far less afraid of the captain himself than anybody else who knew him. There were nights when he took a deal more rum and water than his head would carry; and then he would sometimes sit and sing his wicked, old, wild sea-songs, minding nobody; but sometimes he would call for glasses round and (63) __________ all the trembling company to listen to his stories or bear a chorus to his singing. Often I have heard the house shaking with "Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum," all the neighbours joining in for (64)__________ life, with the fear of death upon them, and each singing louder than the other to avoid remark. For in these fits he was the most overriding companion ever known; he would slap his hand on the table for silence all round; he would fly up in a passion of anger at a question, or sometimes because none was put, and so he judged the company was not following his story. Nor would he allow anyone to leave the inn till he had drunk (65) __________ sleepy and reeled off to bed. For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. Lisa and Peggy do not know where the books are. Neither

50

67.

The burglar broke the lock on the door. He crept into the house. before

68.

Ahmad did not want to get drenched in the rain. He put on his raincoat. for

69.

I am going to bake a cake this afternoon, Miss Linda said. Miss Linda said

70.

Jamie is a handicap and is wheelchair bound. She still wants to join the race. Despite

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) Bartholomew Diaz the Sailor Spain, had faith in Columbus, and helped him in his plan of trying to reach India by sailing westward. But the Portuguese had a different idea. They spent their time and money in trying to sail round the African coast, in the belief that India could be reached by means of a southeast passage. This southeast passage could be found only by crossing the "burning zone," as the part of the earth near the equator was called; and all sailors feared to make the attempt. In 1486, six years before Columbus discovered America, the King of Portugal sent Bartholomew Diaz, a bold and daring navigator, to find the end of the African coast. Bartholomew Diaz sailed through the fiery zone without meeting any of the dreadful

51

misfortunes which the sailors so feared. When he had sailed beyond the Tropic of Capricorn, a severe storm arose. The wind blew his three vessels directly south for thirteen days, during which time he lost sight of land. When the sun shone again, Diaz headed his vessels eastward, but as no land appeared, he again changed the direction, this time heading them toward the north. After sailing northward a short time, land was reached about two hundred miles east of the Cape of Good Hope. Diaz now pushed on four hundred miles farther along the coast of Africa, and saw the wide expanse of the Indian Ocean before him. Here the sailors refused to go any farther, and Diaz, although he wanted very much to go ahead and try to reach India, was obliged to return. On the way home, the vessels passed close to the cape which projects from the South Coast of Africa, and Diaz named it Stormy Cape, in memory of the frightful storm which hid it from view on the way down. When they reached Lisbon, however, King John said that it should be called the Cape of Good Hope, because they now had hope that the southern route to India was found. All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. How did the Portuguese try to reach India?

72.

What made the King select Diaz to lead the expedition through the southeast passage?

52

73.

For what purpose was Bartholomew Diaz sent?

74.

According to the passage, what was Portugal competing with Spain for?

75.

When did the severe storm arise and what was its consequence?

76.

When did Diaz see the Indian Ocean?

53

77.

Why did Diaz have to return when he wanted to reach India?

78.

What was the Stormy cape renamed as and why?

79.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as harsh?

80.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as indebted?

54

Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 1 Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

SUPER FLAKES
An American Product
Start your day with Super Flakes! A healthy breakfast with tasty ingredients for everyone in the family!

Available in the following flavors

Crunchy Nut Multi Grain Raisin Flakes Strawberry and Honey Crunch

Directions
1. Take 100g of Super Flakes in a bowl 2. Add 2 cups of milk 3. Boil for 1-2 min and leave it to cool for 5-10 min before serving 4. Serve with fruits, honey and cereals

Best before September 30 Dec 2009

For suggestions and enquiries, write to us at:

feedback@superflakes.com

NET WEIGHT : 2 kg

55

1.

Super Flakes is well known for _______. (1) feedback system (2) tasty ingredients (3) American flavour (4) making lunch and dinner healthy ( ) To make Super Flakes tastier _______. (1) we should mix all the flavours (2) we should eat before the expiry date (3) we should eat it only with the family (4) we should add fruits, honey and cereals ( ) If the consumer has enquiries about the product quality _______. (1) he should go to America (2) he should follow all cooking directions (3) he should send feedback to the email address (4) he should eat all the different flavours ( ) Super Flakes is suitable for consumption _______. (1) for children only (2) after sending feedback (3) for everyone in the family (4) after December 302009 ( ) If a person is allergic to raisins ________. (1) he should not eat Super Flakes after 30 Dec 2009 (2) he should not eat raisin-flakes (3) he should check the weight of the pack (4) he should eat with fruits, honey and cereals ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Everyone is eager ______ the class. (1) to attend (3) attending (2) (4) attend attended ( 7. I wish I ______ a car. It would make life so much easier. (1) have (2) would have (3) had (4) should have ( 56 ) )

8.

______ you excuse me for a moment ? (1) Would (3) Should

(2) (4)

Must Needn't ( )

9.

Susie ______ phoned ______ wrote after she left home. (1) either, or (2) while, and (3) neither, nor (4) though, or ( ) _____ he was not interested in music, he agreed to go to the concert. (1) Though (2) For (3) While (4) Since ( ) James wishes that he _______ a million dollars as he often dreams of buying a bungalow. (1) has (2) had (3) have (4) having ( The robbers were caught because they had left ______ fingerprints behind (1) them (2) their (3) they (4) theirs ( )

10.

11.

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) Just before he hurried off, Mr Brown turned to Peterson and asked, Hello (13) fancy going for an after dinner stroll? With pleasure, answered Mr. Peterson. Sandy thought she heard malice in his voice but pushed it aside, thinking that she had heard wrongly. Sandy turned to Jenny and exchanged polite conversation with her. What a pity its so dark or I certainly would have gone on the Acorn Trail, it sounds fun (14) Of course! answered Jenny enthusiastically. I was there earlier with my brother. It is the only place in the zoo that grows acorns. They were everywhere(15) It took me a while to brush them off my costume. A few minutes later, Mr. Peterson returned and immediately walked over to Jenny, and asked to dance with her. Jenny agreed enthusiastically and, soon, they were waltzing across the Party Room. 57

13.

(1) (3) (1) (3)

[ , ] comma [ ! ] exclamation mark [ ? ] question mark [. ] full stop and inverted commas [ ! ] exclamation mark [ , ] comma and inverted commas

(2) (4) (2) (4)

[ , ] comma and inverted commas [ ? ] question mark ( ) [ , ] comma and inverted commas [ . ] full stop ( )

14.

15.

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

[. ] full stop and inverted commas [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas ( )

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. Jenny hates going to the shopping mall during a sale because she _______ crowds. (1) fearful (2) loathes (3) scared (4) loves ( ) The pompous village chief _________ into the meeting room arrogantly and gave out orders as if he was the boss. (1) swaggered (2) sauntered (3) staggered (4) shuffled ( Devi was __________ when she found out that she had failed to make it to the school gymnastic team. (1) devastated (2) over the moon (3) euphoric (4) deprived (

17.

18.

19.

One major challenge of going green is how to reduce carbon ________ from vehicles plying the roads. (1) admission (2) emission (3) wastage (4) produce ( ) His father wanted James to do something useful instead of just hanging _________. (1) free (2) up (3) easy (4) about ( )

20.

58

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) Eliza, John, and Georgiana were now (21) clustered round their mama in the drawing-room: she lay reclined on a sofa by the fireside, and with her darlings about her (for the time neither quarrelling nor crying) looked perfectly happy. Me, she had (22) dispensed from joining the group; saying, She regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance; but that until she heard from Bessie, and could discover by her own observation, that I was (23) endeavouring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly mannersomething lighter, franker, more natural, as it wereshe really must exclude me from (24) privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children. What does Bessie say I have done? I asked. Jane, I dont like cavillers or questioners; besides, there is something truly forbidding in a child talking to her elders in that manner. Be seated somewhere; and until you can speak pleasantly, remain silent. A breakfast-room (25) adjoined the drawing-room, I slipped in there. It contained a bookcase: I soon possessed myself of a volume, taking care that it should be one stored with pictures. I mounted into the window-seat: gathering up my feet, I sat cross-legged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red curtain nearly close, I was shrined in double retirement. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) stood clutter provided exempted seeking inspiring threats joy (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) bunched seated ( 22. allowed distributed ( 23. endearing encouraging ( 24. outings prerogatives ( ) ) ) )

59

25.

(1) (3)

behind abutted

(2) (4)

in front of adhere ( )

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. Helen, why do you stay with a girl whom everybody believes to be a liar? Everybody, Jane? Why, there are only eighty people in the school who have heard you called so, and the world contains hundreds of millions. But what have I to do with millions? The eighty, I know, despise me. Jane, you are mistaken: probably not one in the school either despises or dislikes you: many, I am sure, pity you much. How can they pity me after all the nasty things that Mr. Brocklehurst has said about me? Mr. Brocklehurst is not a god: nor is he even a great and admired man: he is little liked here; he never took steps to make himself liked. Had he treated you as an especial favourite, you would have found enemies, declared or covert, all around you; as it is, the greater number would offer you sympathy if they dared. Teachers and pupils may look coldly on you for a day or two, but friendly feelings are concealed in their hearts; and if you persevere in doing well, these feelings will ere long appear so much the more evidently for their temporary suppression. Besides, Janeshe paused. Well, Helen? said I, putting my hand into hers: she chafed my fingers gently to warm them, and went on If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends. No; I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others dont love me I would rather die than liveI cannot bear to be solitary and hated, Helen. Look here; to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest I was silent; Helen had calmed me; but in the tranquillity she imparted there was an alloy of inexpressible sadness. I felt the impression of woe as she spoke, but I could not tell whence it came; and when, having done speaking, she breathed a little fast and

60

coughed a short cough, I momentarily forgot my own sorrows to yield to a vague concern for her. Adapted from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. Helen said that Jane was wrong to think that everybody believed that she was a liar as ____________________________________. everyone believed she was (1) (2) she was an honest girl innocent the eighty people in the school (3) did not constitute the whole (4) she was wrongly accused world ( ) Why did Helen believe that more people are likely to sympathise with Jane than despise her after hearing what Mr. Brocklehurst has said about her? Mr Brocklehurst was not well regarded by the teachers and (2) Mr Brocklehurst was not a god. (1) students in the school Mr Brocklehurst was well liked by (3) Mr Brocklehurst was a liar. (4) everyone in the school ( ) According to Helen, the opinion of others was less important than ______________. (1) your friends (2) your family (3) your own (4) your own conscience ( ) The word solitary means _______________. (1) sad (2) (3) lonesome (4) depressed guilty ( 30. )

27.

28.

29.

According to the last line of the passage, Jane momentarily forgot her own sorrow. Why do you think was the cause? It was because of Janes concern Jane was distracted by other (1) (2) for Helen, who was breathless and problems. coughing, Helen managed to get Jane to (3) (4) Helen managed to comfort Jane. focus on other issues. ( )

61

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A) of (B) where (C) with (D) was (E) across (F) and (G) were (H) at (J) to (K) had (L) if (M) an (N) in (P) by (Q) which

Uranus, the heaven, (31) ______ believed to have united himself in marriage with Gaea, the earth; and a moment's reflection will show what a truly poetical, (32) ______ also what a logical idea this was; for, taken in a figurative sense, [12]this union actually does exist. The smiles (33) ____ heaven produce the flowers of earth, whereas his longcontinued frowns exercise so depressing (34) ______ influence upon his loving partner, that she no longer decks herself (35) _____ bright and festive robes, but responds with ready sympathy to his melancholy mood. The first-born child of Uranus and Gaea was Oceanus, the ocean stream, that vast expanse of ever-flowing water (36) _______ encircled the earth. Here we meet (37) _______ another logical though fanciful conclusion, which a very slight knowledge of the workings of nature proves (38) ______ have been just and true. The ocean is formed from the rains which descend from heaven and the streams which flow from earth. By making Oceanus therefore the offspring of Uranus and Gaea, the ancients, (39) _____ we take this notion in its literal sense, merely assert that the ocean is produced by the combined influence of heaven and earth, whilst (40) _____ the same time their fervid and poetical imagination led them to see in this, as in all manifestations of the powers of nature, an actual, tangible divinity. Adapted from The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome by E. M. Bern

62

Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. Spare the rod and spoil the child - was (41) ______ a well-known adage that has been passed down from generation to generation. According to those who subcribe (42) _________to this view, canning (43) ______ and other forms of physical punishment is (44)_______ sometimes necessary for the childs own good and to bring up well behaved and obedient children. Advocates of physical punishment believed (45) ________ that children will go atray (46)___________ if physical punishment is not employed as a form of discipline. However, in my opinion, the belief that physical punishment will help instill (47) _________good behaviour is a totally misguided one. Not only is physical punishment, which included (48) _____________ spanking and slapping, ineffective in ensuring good behavour (49) ______________ and discipline in a child, it will (50) _________ in fact, counterproductive. Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) The (51) _________ of Chinatown were crammed with (52)___________searching for the best bargains. The atmosphere was lively as Chinatown (53) __________ itself up for the Chinese New Year. Boom! The joyous mood was (54) __________ deafening explosion. In a (55)_________ second, the crowd in the streets descended into mayhem. Desperate screams filled the air as blood shattered victims scattered aimlessly in all directions. I saw a man with ruby red blood (56) ___________ from his missing arm. Next to him, a woman was (57) __________ in pain on the floor. Acrid smoke (58)___________ the air and I could feel myself choking. As I struggled to comprehend by a

63

what had transpired before me, someone in the midst yelled suicide bomber! I could not (59) __________ what I had just heard. A terrorist attack in the heart of Chinatown? I watched the horrific scene from a (60)__________ distance, wishing that it was a movie or just a (61) __________ of my imagination. Soon the Civil Defence Team arrived to attend to the injured (casualties). Thick smoke (62) __________ me as I got closer to the scene of disaster to render my (63) __________ or comfort to the victims. The sight of many lifeless (64) ___________ around me left me feeling numb. I broke down and sobbed (65) __________ for the innocent lives lost in this tragedy. From that moment on, my life and my view of the world had changed forever. Chinatown, will never be same again! For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. It is raining cats and dogs. Jane still insists on going swimming. In spite of

67.

She continued to run the rest of the marathon. She was badly injured. Even though

68.

Father is talking to someone. We do not know who that person is. whom

64

69.

Mr Teo is my Science teacher. He is talking to my parents now. who

70.

That is the gown that caught her fancy. It is blue in colour. which

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) I knew very little about the country, and I hadn't a notion what I was going to do. I trusted to the strength of my legs, but I was well aware that those behind me would be familiar with the lie of the land, and that my ignorance would be a heavy handicap. The police had evidently called in local talent to their aid, and the men I could see had the appearance of herds or gamekeepers. They hallooed at the sight of me, and I waved my hand. Two dived into the glen and began to climb my ridge, while the others kept their own side of the hill. I felt as if I were taking part in a schoolboy game of hare and hounds. I stalked over the border of coarse hill gravel and entered the open veranda door. Within was a pleasant room, glass on one side, and on the other a mass of books. There was a knee-hole desk in the middle, and seated at it, with some papers and open volumes before him, was the benevolent old gentleman. His face was round and shiny, like Mr Pickwick's, big glasses were stuck on the end of his nose, and the top of his head was as bright and bare as a glass bottle. He never moved when I entered, but raised his placid eyebrows and waited on me to speak. It was not an easy job, with about five minutes to spare, to tell a stranger who I was and what I wanted, and to win his aid. I did not attempt it. There was something about the eye of the man before me, something so keen and knowledgeable, that I could not find a word. I simply stared at him and stuttered. 'You seem in a hurry, my friend,' he said slowly.

65

I nodded towards the window. It gave a prospect across the moor through a gap in the plantation, and revealed certain figures half a mile off straggling through the heather. 'Ah, I see,' he said, and took up a pair of field-glasses through which he patiently scrutinized the figures. 'A fugitive from justice, eh? Well, we'll go into the matter at our leisure. Meantime I object to my privacy being broken in upon by the clumsy rural policeman. Go into my study, and you will see two doors facing you. Take the one on the left and close it behind you. You will be perfectly safe.' And this extraordinary man took up his pen again. I did as I was bid, and found myself in a little dark chamber which smelt of chemicals, and was lit only by a tiny window high up in the wall. The door had swung behind me with a click like the door of a safe. Once again I had found an unexpected sanctuary. All the same I was not comfortable. There was something about the old gentleman which puzzled and rather terrified me. He had been too easy and ready, almost as if he had expected me. And his eyes had been horribly intelligent. No sound came to me in that dark place. For all I knew the police might be searching the house, and if they did they would want to know what was behind this door. I tried to possess my soul in patience, and to forget how hungry I was. Then I took a more cheerful view. The old gentleman could scarcely refuse me a meal, and I fell to reconstructing my breakfast. Bacon and eggs would content me, but I wanted the better part of a flitch of bacon and half a hundred eggs. And then, while my mouth was watering in anticipation, there was a click and the door stood open. I emerged into the sunlight to find the master of the house sitting in a deep armchair in the room he called his study, and regarding me with curious eyes. 'Have they gone?' I asked. 'They have gone. I convinced them that you had crossed the hill. I do not choose that the police should come between me and one whom I am delighted to honour. This is a lucky morning for you, Mr Richard Hannay.' As he spoke his eyelids seemed to tremble and to fall a little over his keen grey eyes. In a flash the phrase of Scudder's came back to me, when he had described the man he

66

most dreaded in the world. He had said that he 'could hood his eyes like a hawk'. Then I saw that I had walked straight into the enemy's headquarters. My first impulse was to throttle the old ruffian and make for the open air. He seemed to anticipate my intention, for he smiled gently, and nodded to the door behind me. I turned, and saw two men-servants who had me covered with pistols. He knew my name, but he had never seen me before. And as the reflection darted across my mind I saw a slender chance. 'I don't know what you mean,' I said roughly. 'And who are you calling Richard Hannay? My name's Ainslie.' Adapted from The 39 Steps by John Buchan All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. What advantage did the narrators pursuers had over him?

72.

Why did the narrator say that it was not an easy job to tell the old gentlemen about himself?

67

73.

Who were the certain figures half a mile off straggling through the heather and how were they related to the narrator?

74.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as to examine closely?

75.

Why did the narrator felt uneasy about the old man?

76.

Why did the old man ask the narrator to go into his study?

68

77.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as to know beforehand?

78.

What made the narrator realised that he had walked straight into the enemys headquarters?

79.

Who was the old ruffian that the narrator wanted to throttle and was the narrator successful in achieving his objective and why?

80.

What was the narrators name?

69

Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 2

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

SINGAPORE GRAND SALE

FOR ALL IN THE FAMILY Stationery Books and Education Health and Leisure Family Care
SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM 2-4 OCT 2009 10AM 9 PM
Special 30% Discount on Bing LCD TV and Jackson Cameras! Free Family Picture at Canon stall !

Best deals in town! Three days only! Free Gifts during Happy Hours at MobileKing!

Magic Show for Kids! Every day at 5pm Make a minimum purchase of $50 and qualify for Lucky Draw!

70

1.

Singapore Grand Sale will be held _________. (1) in mid October (2) at the end of October (3) at the beginning of October (4) every day in October ( ) Shoppers can get free gifts from __________. (1) MobileKing (2) Jackson Cameras (3) Bing LCD TV (4) All stalls ( ) Shoppers can get a discount of _____ on Bing LCD TV and Jackson Cameras. 5% (1) 30% (2) 15% (3) (4) 50% ( Shoppers who spent a minimum of S$50 will be eligible for ____________. (1) Magic Show preview (2) Happy Hours promotion (3) Special Discounts (4) Lucky Draw ( ) Which statement about the advertisement is false? (1) The sale is on for three days only (2) Happy Hours promotion is only for MobileKing. (3) Free Family picture can be taken at all stalls (4) The sale is for all in the family ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Wherever Rose goes, ______ makes friends easily. (1) she (2) hers (3) her (4) herself ( 7. What's the name of the man ______ ? (1) you borrowed his car (3) which car you borrowed (2) (4) whose car you borrowed his car you borrowed ( 71 ) )

8.

Ooh ! He called me names, ____________ ? (1) does he (2) (3) did he (4)

would he is he ( )

9.

Gold, silver, iron and steel may be __________ metal. (1) classified into (2) consist of (3) classified as (4) made into ( ) Many species of insects were wiped _______ when the jungle was cleared. (1) away (2) of (3) out (4) off ( ) My aunt has invited me to her place _____ three o'clock this afternoon _____ tea. (1) at; for (2) during; so that (3) on; to (4) from; for ( The electricity was ______ between 3.00pm and 9.00pm. (1) pulled off (2) take off (3) set off (4) cut off ( )

10.

11.

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) Is it all over (13) she asked, looking down at my face. Have you cried your grief away? I am afraid I never shall do that (14) Why? Because I have been wrongly accused; and you, maam, and everybody else, will now think me wicked. We shall think you what you prove yourself to be, my child. Continue to act as a good girl, and you will satisfy us. Shall I, Miss Linda? You will, said she, passing her arm round me. And now tell me, who is the lady whom Mr. Holmes called your benefactress? Mrs. McDonald, my uncles wife (15) My uncle is dead, and he left me to her

72

care. Did she not, then, adopt you of her own accord? 13. (1) (3) [ ? ] question mark [ ? ] question mark and inverted commas [ ? ] question mark and inverted commas [ , ] comma [ ; ] semi-colon [ ? ] question mark and inverted commas (2) (4) [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas [ . ] full stop ( 14. (1) (3) 15. (1) (3) (2) (4) (2) (4) [ . ] full stop and inverted commas [ ; ] semi-colon ( [ . ] full stop [ . ] full stop and inverted commas ( )

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. The military leaders staged a _______ to overthrow the democratically elected government. (1) war (2) coup (3) attack (4) fight ( John was unhappy when the teacher pointed out his ____________. (1) limit (2) untidy (3) inclinations (4) shortcomings ( 18. John lost his balance when the bus that he was travelling in suddenly ________ forward. (1) stopped (2) lurched (3) flung (4) dashed ( )

17.

19.

If the pain and swelling in your knee _________ for more than a week, you should consider having an operation, advised the doctor. (1) persists (2) survive (3) endure (4) dominate ( )

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20.

As you were the one who had broken the chair in your classroom, you have to ______________. (1) face the mirror (2) kick the bucket (3) face the music (4) face the wall (

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) The heavy rainstorm in the past one week had brought down the winter snow from the mountain slopes. As a result, the river was a tumbling stretch of water, swirling and eddying in the spring sunlight. Oh, no! Mark exclaimed in (21) dismay. He had earlier been warned what to expect, but this was worse. From the looks of it, the river is unlikely to return to normal until a week or so, later. Turning back was not an (22) option as the hike back to town would take at least another two weeks. Mark went up to the bank and saw that not far down-stream were the rapids, a wild jumble of foam-crested waves and rocks. No man could (23) survive that! thought Mark to himself. The river raced down to the rapids like a soaring beast, carrying along with it all kinds of debris: branches, logs, and the carcass of dead animals. Mark trekked upstream to look for a place where he could attempt to swim across the river as it was far too dangerous to cross at a point too near the rapids. After walking for about an hour, he finally found a place where the bank sloped down gently to do his crossing. The water was icy cold, but quite (24) undeterred Mark swam on strongly driven as much by fear as by necessity. However, after a while, he could feel his hands and legs becoming numb from the cold as the rapid current carried him downstream. His heart failed him for a moment when the carcass of a cow swept towards him. Summoning all his strength, Mark (25) swerved to the right and just narrowly missed a collision with the cow carcass. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) despair outrage choice way (2) (4) (2) (4) delight shock ( 22. opinion plan ( ) )

74

23.

(1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3)

pull out pull through unlikely discourage pushed dashed

(2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4)

tolerate encounter ( ) decided resolute ( ) veered swam ( )

24.

25.

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. Mr. Brown walked into his richly carpeted bedroom, ready to relax after a long day. Out of the blue, his foot caught on a large bump on the carpet. Taken by surprise, he tripped and fell heavily. Ouch! he yelled, rubbing his buttocks tenderly, What was that? He stared angrily at the bump on the carpet. He stamped on it, trying to squash it. However, he was unsuccessful. As he eyed the bump, anger flooded through him. How dare it trip him up! Mr. Browns eyes fell on a small wooden chair lying in the corner. He immediately seized it, lifted it high above his head and slammed it down on the bump with all his might. The bump stirred, and Mr. Brown heard a soft hissing noise. It was a snake! Just then, something stirred in his mind and Mr. Brown realised with cold shock that the snake had eaten his hen, not Tom. His face turned as red as tomato at the thought. The snakes angry hiss at being awaken brought Mr. Brown back to the present. Ill deal with the snake first. Mr. Brown muttered. He looked for it but the bump had disappeared. Mr. Browns sharp eyes could just make out its long, slim body slithering away from under the rug. Mr. Brown sprung into action as he pounced on the snake, hoping to catch it. However, the snake dodged as fast as lightning and Mr. Brown fell with a thump on the carpet. The failed attempt to catch the snake only made Mr. Brown angrier and he threw himself into a mad flurry of kicking, grabbing and pouncing, but succeeded only in knocking over furniture. The snake was faster at every move and it was slowly but surely making its getaway. Mr. Brown noticed the danger and made a final, desperate lunge for the snake, defying his aching muscles. His foot knocked over the tilting table, which fell with a crash pinning the snake under it just as it was emerging 75

from under the carpet. Mr. Brown crowed in triumph and caught hold of the snake. For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. Which of the following sentence is false? The story takes place in a (2) (1) bedroom. Mr Brown was tired after (3) (4) working hard the whole day. Why did Mr Brown stamp on the bump? (1) He was angry. (2) (3) He wanted some exercise. (4) Mr Brown was tripped over by a bump on the carpet. Mr Brown was so called because he had brown hair. ( ) He wanted his carpet to look nice. He wanted his carpet to be flattened. ( )

27.

28.

In line 13-14 of the passage it was said that the bump had disappeared, why do you think this was so? The snake which was earlier coiled Mr Brown managed to flatten up under the carpet was slithering (1) (2) the bump with a wooden stool. away. Mr Brown had succeeded in Mr Brown managed to straighten (3) (4) killing the snake. out the bump. ( ) Choose a word similar in meaning to the word dodged in line 16 of the passage. (1) dived (2) descended (3) ducked (4) delved ( Why did Mr Browns face turned as red as tomato? He had acquired a suntan as a (1) He was embarrassed. (2) result of working outdoors. (3) He loved tomatoes. (4) He was angry. (

29.

30.

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A) within (B) besides (C) around (D) being (E) behind (F) under (G) in (H) whilst (J) with (K) across (L) from (M) by (N) until (P) for (Q) over

76

Sandy had been invited by her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, to an end-of-year masquerade party at the zoo. As the zoo owner was Mr. Pierces friend, they were able to rent the Party Room sited (31) ________ the Garden by the Lake, even after the zoo had closed for the day. (32) ________ line with the animal theme for the party, Sandy had come dressed as a bumblebee, complete (33) ________ stripes, feelers and even wings! Just before she made her grand entrance, Sandy put on her mask as the invitation stated that no one was to remove their mask (34) ________ it was midnight. The crystal chandelier overhead cast a warm and mysterious glow (35) ________ the Party Room and it seemed to Sandy that the room was crawling with animals that had escaped from their cages. As she cast her eyes (36) ________ the room, Sandy tried to guess the real identity (37) ________ some of the disguises. The man in a leopard costume with a very life-like mask must be Mr. Peterson, Mrs. Pierces cousin who just returned to Singapore (38) ________ an overseas posting. There was also Jenny Brown, her squirrel costume making her look innocent and sweet. Sandy greeted Jennys older brother, Mr. James Brown, who was a nurse (39) __________ Mr Pierces employment. Mr Brown came dressed as a tiger. She was very impressed by Mr. Johns costume which greatly resembled a snake. She also admired Mr. and Mrs. Pierces costumes, which were that of a lion and lioness. The credit (40) ________ these life-like costumes was attributed to Jenny, who was on a study vacation and staying with her brother. That girl is really good with the needle, Mrs. Pierce had said. Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. The wind howling (41) ______ wildly as the freek (42) ______ storm gathered

77

strength. Just a moment ago, it was sweltering and the next, rain petted (43) ______ down mercilessly upon the city. Pedestrians are (44) ______ caught unaware and dashed to whatever shelters they could find, hudding (45) ______ close to one another. To everyones shock, a streak of lightning flashed across the sky followed by deafning (46) ______ claps of thunder. A gigantic tree was uprooted and everyone watched in horror as two schoolgirls were then walking directly in the path of the falling tree. Tom, a passerby, reacted quickly and managed to pull the two girls away just in the nick of time. The massive tree fell making (47) ______ a loud thud, missing the trio by a hairs breadth. The two schoolgirls had shock writting (48) ______ all over their faces and were on the verge of tears. They stood trembling in the heavy downpour as the rain lashes (49) ______ at them. Tom grubbed (50) ______ the girls into a shop for shelter as another tree, this time smaller in size was wrenched from the sidewalk. Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, (51)_________ comic, a large number merely strange, but (52) _________ commonplace; for, working as he did for the love of his art (53) _________ for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to (54) _________ himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I had no keener (55) _________ than in following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a (56) _________ basis with which he unravelled the problems which were

78

submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the window, (57 )_________ as we entered. Good-morning, madam, said Holmes cheerily. My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my good friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as (58)_________ as before myself. Ha! I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to (59) _________ the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that you are shivering. It is not cold which makes me shiver, said the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as requested. What, then? It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror. She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable (60) _________ of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some (61) _________ animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature grey, and her expression was weary (62) _________ haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances. You must not (63) _________, said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. We shall soon set matters right, I have no (64) _________. You have come in by train this morning, I see. You know me, then? No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy

79

roads, before you reached the station. The lady gave a violent start and (65) __________ in bewilderment at my companion. Adapted from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. Melissa loves taking part in art competitions. She does not like taking part in dance competitions. would rather

67.

Have you handed in your homework today? Miss Tang asked her students.

Miss Tang asked

68.

Mandy is George cousin. Mandy enjoys shopping. who

69.

John is standing next to a man. That man is my neighbour. That man

80

70.

Jennifer likes to help people. It gives her a sense of satisfaction and joy. Helping

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) One Sunday in December 2009, I went with my mother to an antique shop in North Bridge Road. While looking around the shop, I found myself being drawn to a beautiful painting of old North Bridge Road in the year 1942. Suddenly, I was blinded by a bright light and when I opened my eyes, I found myself standing on the pavement of a strange and yet somewhat familiar looking road. I was panic stricken. Bewildered and confused, I turned around frantically, hoping to find my mother and the antique shop. Instead, I saw people mostly in traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian costumes rushing past me, almost knocking me off my feet. For a minute, I thought I had accidentally chanced upon a movie set and the people were actors and actresses in a period movie about old Singapore. Before I could approach anyone for help, sirens started blaring and loud explosions followed, which caused the ground to shake with the force of an earthquake. With more explosions, some houses and buildings along the road started collapsing and were soon reduced to rubble. Then I saw them, the source of the mayhem. Japanese fighter planes zoomed low and raked at us with bombs. All of a sudden, it dawned on me that I had been transported back in time to the old North Bridge Road of 1942 but the idea was so ludicrous that I was paralyzed with fear. Then, a wave of giddiness swept over me and I fainted. When I came to, I found myself on a bed in a kampong house with walls made from wooden planks and a thatched roof. A plump, kind-faced lady sat beside me. Her name was Mrs Ang and she had brought me home after she found me unconscious on the road. The calendar showed 6 February 1942. By then, I became fully aware with a sinking heart that I had travelled back in time. I was devastated. I had to find a way to go back to 2008 but I did not know how! I tried to explain matters to Mrs Ang, but, she did not believe me and thought that I had run away from home. To convince her, I told her that the Japanese would launch an attack on Pulau Ubin the next day in an attempt to mislead the

81

British into thinking that they would attack Singapore from the northeast although their real plan was to land on the northwest coast, repair the causeway and cross into Singapore. I begged her to immediately inform the British about the Japaneses war plan as otherwise the Japanese would overrun Singapore in seven days. I also told her about the atrocities that the Japanese would commit if they occupied Singapore. However, neither Aunty Ang nor any of her family members believed me. They all thought that the shock of the earlier bombing had caused me to lose my mind. They assured me that the British were very strong and powerful and there was no way the Japanese could capture Singapore. Anyway, when I told Aunty Ang I had no place to stay as I am alone in this strange land, she felt sorry for me and told me I could stay with her and her family. They were the first of many kind people I met during the Japanese Occupation, which I appear doomed to remain. However, just a week later, as I had predicted, we heard the fatal news; the British had surrendered and the Japanese were our new rulers. Fear swept through the village where we lived as many had heard of the atrocities committed by the Japanese in China. Many people hastily prepared posters of welcome, hoping to ingratiate themselves with the conquerors. All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. Why do you think the narrator was panic stricken as stated in line 5 of the passage?

72.

Why did the narrator suspect that she had accidentally stumbled into a movie set featuring old Singapore?

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73.

Why did the narrator not approach anyone for help?

74.

In line 13 of the passage, the narrator said she saw the source of the mayhem. To what was she referring to?

75.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as absurd?

76.

Before she fainted, what led the narrator to conclude that she had been transported back in time to 1942?

83

77.

Quote words or phrases to show how the narrator felt after she realised that she was transported back in time to 1942?

78.

How did the narrator try to convince Mrs Ang that she had indeed travel back in time?

79.

Which sentence in the passage suggests that the Ang family did not believe the narrator?

80.

Why did the people prepare posters to welcome the Japanese?

84

Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 3

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

FOR YOUR KIDS WHO LOVE TO ACT

FOR CHILDREN 5-15 YEARS OLD

CALL US NOW!
Central/West Bishan, Bukit Batok, Woodlands and Yishun 65574389 East Sengkang, Pasir Ris, Punggol and Tampines 64217653

WHAT CAN YOUR KIDs EXPECT? Explore many aspects of theatre from speaking, acting, and movement to improvisation. Enact scenes from many of their favorite stories Lots of fun and entertainment!

BOOST YOUR KIDS Confidence, Creativity and Imagination

REGISTRATION OPEN! Sign up now for a free trial class this weekend!
Classes commence in the first week of April 2010

85

1.

The advertisement promotes _______ (1) Free drama classes for children. (2) Drama as an effective learning tool for children (3) Coolness factor among the kids (4) English lessons for children who sign up for drama classes. ( ) Drama lessons commence _______ (1) in the first week of April 2010 (2) in the last week of April 2010 (3) only in selected centres (4) immediately after registration ( ) The drama classes are conducted for _______ (1) both parents and children (2) secondary school students only (3) all students who are interested in drama (4) only residents in the eastern, western and central parts of Singapore ( ) The Kidz Drama School claims that drama _______ (1) will help children become more confident. (2) will make children become professional actors (3) is only useful for children between the ages of 5 and 15 (4) is taught free of charge on weekends ( ) Which of the following statements of Kidz Drama School is false? (1) The program is catered for children who are between 5 and 15 years of age. (2) Free trial classes are conducted for children only this weekend. (3) They have branch offices in the central, western and eastern Singapore. (4) They do not entertain telephone queries. ( )

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. After the accident he was ______ in bed for six months. (1) pulled through (2) laid up (3) got down (4) broken down ( 7. The pilot who flew the plane dangerously ______ will ______ be questioned. (1) high, apparently (2) low, certainly (3) fast, surely (4) near, obviously ( 86 )

8.

Bobby is ________ of his father than his mother because his father is a very strict man. (1) most afraid (2) so afraid as (3) more afraid (4) as afraid as ( This is _____ lovely car but it is also _____ most expensive one on sale. (1) the, the (2) a, the (3) --, the (4) a, an (

9.

10.

______ of the food was wasted because ______ guests did not turn up for the reception. (1) A little, any (2) Much, many (3) Plenty, a large amount (4) Many, several ( Mr Tan says that three kilometres _____ not a long way to walk. (1) is (2) were (3) are (4) will (

11.

12.

Neither the principal nor the teachers _______ invited to the party yesterday. (1) was (2) be (3) are (4) were (

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) I was just fitting my key into the door when I noticed a man at my elbow. I had not seen him approach, and the sudden appearance made me start. He was a slim man, with a short brown beard and small, slanting blue eyes. I recognized him as the occupant of a flat on the top floor, with whom I had passed the time of day on the stairs. Can I speak to you? he said (13) May I come in for a minute?' He was steadying his voice with an effort, and his hand was pawing my arm. I got my door open and motioned him in. No sooner was he over the threshold than he made a dash for my back room (14) where I used to smoke and write my letters. Then he bolted back. Is the door locked? he asked feverishly, and he fastened the chain with his own hand.

87

I'm very sorry, he said humbly. It's a mighty liberty, but you looked the kind of man who would understand. Ive had you in my mind all this week when things got troublesome. Say, will you do me a good turn? I'll listen to you,' I said. That's all I'll promise (15) I was getting worried by the antics of this nervous little chap. There was a tray of drinks on a table beside him, from which he filled himself a stiff whisky-and-soda. He drank it off in three gulps, and cracked the glass as he set it down. Pardon, he said, 'I'm a bit rattled tonight. You see, I happen at this moment to be dead. 13. (1) (3) [ . ] full stop [. ] full stop and inverted commas (2) (4) [ , ] comma [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas ( [ , ] full stop and inverted commas [ , ] comma ( [ . ] full stop [ ; ] semi-colon and inverted commas (

14.

(1) (3)

[ ? ] question mark [ : ] colon [. ] full stop and inverted commas [ ! ] exclamation mark

(2) (4)

15.

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. The foreign workers in Singapore seemed to have ________ well to the living conditions here. (1) settled (2) adapted (3) mixed (4) adept ( James _________ me that he would complete the assignment on time. (1) insured (2) ensured (3) assured (4) stated ( )

17.

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18.

The students were severely _________ for vandalising their classroom. (1) inflicted (2) reprehended (3) detention (4) apprehended ( ) It took him a while, but he finally realised that Henry was his _______ not his enemy as Henry had been quietly helping him all this time. (1) peer (2) boss (3) helper (4) ally ( ) No one ever takes Peter too seriously as he is well known for ____________. (1) talking through his hat (2) showing off (3) talking with his hat on (4) letting his hair down (

19.

20.

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) John Reed was a schoolboy of fourteen years old; four years older than I, for I was but ten: large and stout for his age, with a dingy and unwholesome skin; thick lineaments in a (21) spacious visage, heavy limbs and large extremities. He gorged himself habitually at table, which made him bilious, and gave him a dim and bleared eye and flabby cheeks. He ought now to have been at school; but his mama had taken him home for a month or two, on account of his delicate health. Mr. Miles, the master, (22) affirmed that he would do very well if he had fewer cakes and sweetmeats sent him from home; but the mothers heart turned from an opinion so harsh, and inclined rather to the more refined idea that Johns sallowness was owing to over-application and, perhaps, to pining after home. John had not much affection for his mother and sisters, and an (23) antipathy to me. He bullied and punished me; not two or three times in the week, nor once or twice in the day, but continually: every nerve I had feared him, and every (24) morsel of flesh in my bones shrank when he came near. There were moments when I was bewildered by the terror he inspired, because I had no appeal whatever against either his menaces or his inflictions; the servants did not like to offend their young master by taking my part against him, and Mrs. Reed was blind and deaf on the subject: she never saw him strike or heard him (25) abuse me, though he did both now and then in her very presence, more frequently, however, behind her back. Adapted from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

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21.

(1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3)

broad plenty supported denied pathetic distaste ounce pound abrasive abut

(2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4)

a lot of full ( ) asserted affiliated ( ) taste sympathy ( ) part bit ( ) treat mistreat ( )

22.

23.

24.

25.

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) I still remembered vividly the day when the Tongan ferry, Princess Ashika, that my husband and I were travelling in sank off the coast of Fiji. One moment, we were on the ferry enjoying the nice morning breeze and, the next, in the icy cold water of the Pacific Ocean. It all happened rather suddenly; without any warning, water started pouring through the cargo hold of the Tongan ferry. The cabin rapidly filled with water. People started panicking and jostling for lifejackets. Then the ferry rocked violently and rolled over all in a few minutes. There were thirty of us, bobbing around our capsized boat, in the vast expanse of the ocean with no sign of land anywhere. Some people were crying, while others, particularly, those without lifejackets, were trying their best to keep afloat by treading water and clinging on to whatever we could. The younger and stronger men among the survivors helped to heaved the children and non-swimmers, myself included, onto the upturned hull. Some expressed the hope that help would come if we did not reach the capital of Tonga, Nukualofa. Everyone was praying that help would arrive soon. However, deep in our hearts we knew that rescue was not the first of our concerns. 90

Of greater worry was what might be lurking beneath the surface, possibly right at that very minute. Everyone who had been to this part of the world knew that these seas were infested with sharks. However, as if by some unspoken pact, no one made any mention of these animals which were hunted to extinction. We waited and prayed. After what seemed like eternity although it could not have been more than a few hours as the sun was still shining brightly, we saw a cruise ship in the distance. It was not much bigger than a toy ship. Our hopes raised, we waved and shout frantically, but the liner glided silently away. We did not see any other liners for the rest of the day. 26. The ferry, Princess Ashika, was on its way to _________ when it sank. (1) Tonga (2) Nukualofa (3) Nowhere (4) Fiji ( 27. The narrator of the story was a _______________. (1) woman and a non-swimmer (2) child (3) man and a swimmer (4) a man and a non-swimmer ( Everyones greater concern was that _____________. (1) sharks would eat or attack them (2) help would soon come help would take a long time to (3) (4) they would run out of food come ( )

28.

29.

Why did the narrator say that the cruise ship was not much bigger than a toy ship? (1) The ship was really a toy ship. (2) The ship was very small. The ship was too far away and, The ship that the narrator saw was (3) hence, did not look very small to (4) modelled after a toy ship. the narrator. ( ) Why did none of the survivors mention the possibility of being attacked by sharks? Sharks only attacked during the (1) night and when the ferry sank it (2) There were no sharks in the seas. was still day time. They were worried that doing so They did not want to increase the (3) would attract the attention of the (4) fear in the hearts by mentioning sharks. this problem. ( )

30.

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There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A) believe (B) and (C) is (D) of (E) are (F) forth (G) ensures (H) by (J) all (K) at (L) or (M) as (N) for (P) produce (Q) across

Zeus, the great presiding deity (31) ________ the universe, the ruler of heaven and earth, was regarded (32) ________ the Greeks, first, as the god of all arial phenomena; secondly, as the personification of the laws of nature; thirdly, (33) _________ lord of state-life; and fourthly, as the father of gods and men. As the god of arial phenomena he could, by shaking his gis (sacred shield), (34) _________storms, tempests, and intense darkness. (35) ________ his command the mighty thunder rolls, the lightning flashes, and the clouds open and pour (36) ________ their refreshing streams to fructify the earth. As the personification of the operations of nature, he represents those grand laws of unchanging and harmonious order, by which not only the physical but also the moral world (37) ______ governed. Hence, he is the god of regulated time as marked by the changing seasons, and by the regular succession of day and night, in contradistinction to his father Cronus, who represents time absolutely, i.e. eternity. As the lord of state-life, he is the founder of kingly power, the upholder of (38) _________ institutions connected with the state, and the special friend and patron of princes, whom he guards (39) _________ assists with his advice and counsel. He protects the assembly of the people, and, in fact, watches over the welfare of the whole community. As the father of the gods, Zeus sees that each deity performs his (40) _________ her individual duty, punishes their misdeeds, settles their disputes, and acts towards them on

92

all occasions as their all-knowing counsellor and mighty friend. Adapted from The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece .by E. M. Berems Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. Dear Rachel, How are you doing? Its (41) ______been three months since Ive last written to you. I am bursting with exctment (42) ______ as I am delivering this piece of great news to you. Does (43) ______ you know what? Id won the first price in a lucky draw a month ago. It was a trip for four to Disneyland, USA and of course our entire family had the best June holidays ever. The trip lasted two unforgettable weeks and all the expenses were paid for except for food and sovenirs (44) ______ that we wanted to buy. We flew into California and stayed over at the Hotel near Disneyland. Upon arrival at Disneyland, I was overwhlmed (45) ______ by the magnificence of the fairytale castle. The experience was purely magical as we strolled around the gigantic theme park. I got the rare chance to rub shoulders with Goofy my favorite Disney cartoon character. The highlight was undoubtedly the (hair-raising) roller coaster ride. It certainly sent our adrenaline pumping at top speed! For the next few days, we toured a couple of interesting places and take (46) ______ many pictures. We did tonnes of shopping and tasted amazing seafood as California is right by Pacific Ocean. Two weeks gone (47) ______ by in a flesh (48) ______ and before we knew it, we were already on the plane back to Singapore. Alas! Good things do not last forever. I was

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(49) ______ back in reality now and starting term three and it will be an extremely hetic (50) ______ term for me filled with homework and tests. However, I am still very thankful for the great opportunity for our family to spend a wonderful vacation in a fairytale land. Well, let me know about the interesting things youve done over the June holidays and good luck for everything! Your best friend, Neva Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) I woke up (51) ________ a start. The room was very hot and I could smell smoke. I pushed the light switch but it could not work. I quickly scrambled out of bed and opened the door. Choking smoke floated in and I coughed as the acrid fumes (52) ________ my room. My room was on the ninth floor of a hotel. I was touring the country and had chosen to spend the (53) ________ at this ill-fated hotel. Till this day, I still have not come to grips with the fact that the hotel was actually on (54) ________. Desperate cries of Fire! Fire! pierced through the thick (55) ________ of smoke which were more than what I needed to convince myself of this (56) _________ event. People were rushing up and down the corridors as their pounding footsteps rang through the air. Still wearing my pyjamas, I groped my way down the smoky corridor as thick (57)________ continued to billow in unrelentlessly. Several hotel guests were shrieking (58) ________ as they stood frozen at the corridors, their faces ashen-white. A middle-aged man came running from the other end of the corridor, Theres no way for us to escape! he gasped in horror. The fire has already spread to the staircase. The flame will soon reach us. We rushed to the windows which (59) ________ the

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street. Thick, black smoke was (60) ________ out of the windows on the floors below. The orange-red flames were threatening us as they (61) __________ upwards and there was no doubt that our floor will soon be ablaze. There was a grave silence as we felt the sense of (62) _________ in our hearts. Every second was precious as it is now a (63) _________ of life and death. Either the flames would soon engulfed and swallow us or the building would collapse, bringing us crashing down the smouldering rubble. We watch helplessly as the firemen aimed their hoses at the flames below. Amidst the furore and commotion, we waved our hands frantically and shouted at the top of our voices to attract their attention. To our (64)_________ they heard our cries for help. A huge fire-engine was driven up directly below us. A long ladder was mechanically raised to our window. A fireman climbed up the ladder nimbly and he helped us to climb down the ladder one by one until we were all standing safely on the ground. A group of on-lookers cheered as the paramedics rushed to our aid. A woman was treated for shock and another man for minor scratches. I escaped the ordeal (65)________ and was thankful to the fireman who braved danger to save us. We had lost our possessions in the flames which took two hours to extinguish. I am fortunate to be alive, nevertheless.

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For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. Mary was disappointed. Her gymnastic team did not make it into the finals. Much to

67.

We shall go canoeing tomorrow if it does not rain. Unless

68.

Teacher asked John, Did you revise for your test yesterday? Teacher asked

69.

Anna does not know how to cook. Her daughters do not know how to cook too. Neither

70.

Melissa likes coffee. She likes tea more. prefer

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Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) Al Capone is America's best known gangster and the single greatest symbol of the collapse of law and order in the United States during the 1920s. Capone had a leading role in the illegal activities that lent Chicago its reputation as a lawless city. They called him the King of Crime. Capones parents came to America from Italy. The family first lived in New York. Capones father was a grocer. He tried his best to bring his children up well, but times were hard and his hands were full just trying to make ends meet to have much time for his children. In the New York slums gangs ruled the streets. Young Capone joined a gang of boys and learned to fight and steal. Although he was bright, Capone quitted school when he was fourteen, after he was expelled by the school that he was attending. He had learned little and could hardly speak English. He joined a notorious gang called the Five Pointers and set out on a life of crime mentored by racketeer Frankie Yale. Later, Capone moved to Chicago at the invitation of Johnny Torrio, another of his Five Point Gang mentor who had gone to Chicago to resolve some problems that his family had with a gang called the Black Hand. Capone quickly resolved the issue by killing members of the Black Hand who had given Johnny problems. At that time, drinking alcohol was illegal and many people would pay a great deal for an illegal drink. As a result, gangsters who sold alcohol became very rich indeed. In this way, Capone made his fortune. He became not just very rich but also very powerful as well. He established himself as Chicagos top gangster and made important friends. In one part of Chicago, nicknamed Crook County, only Capones men were elected to important jobs. Armed men made sure that voters voted for the right person. Many politicians and policemen took bribes from Capone. He was so powerful that no one would stand up to him. His motto was kill or be killed. There was often blood on the streets of Chicago. Capone did, however, sometimes show a kinder side. There were many people without jobs in the 1920s. Capone opened a daily soup kitchen in Chicago. It provided free food for three thousand jobless people. Capone loved to show off. He wanted people to hear about his deeds, but he was 97

always careful to make sure that no evidence tied him to a crime. At last, his luck ran out. He was arrested for not paying his taxes and sent to prison. He became very ill soon after his release from jail. His fortune had all gone and the King of Crimes went penniless to his grave. All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. Why was Al Capone called the King of Crimes?

72.

What evidence was there that Capone was not a good student?

73.

What do you think started Capone on his life of crime?

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74.

Which word in the passage has the same meaning as areas in the city where the living conditions are poor and the buildings dirty and rundown?

75.

Who were the people who initiated Capone into a life of crime?

76.

How did Capone make his fortune?

77.

How did Capone become powerful?

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78.

By what principle did Capone live?

79.

To whom does the phrase right people in line 22 refers to?

80.

What evidence was there that Capone did not feel remorseful about the crimes that he had committed?

100

Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 4

Duration: 1 hr 50 min Study the following flyer and then answer questions 1 to 5.

BIRDS See them LIVE Like youve never seen them before!

STAR ATTRACTIONS AT AMPHITHEATRE: AT THE PLAZA: BIRDFEEDINGSHOWDARKSKIES SINGINGBEAUTIESPHOTOtaking

PRIMETIMEPARROTS ANDMANYMORE... SPECIAL! CHOOSE THE BIRD YOU WANT TO FEED! ONLY ON SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!

Operating hours: 11 am to 6 pm Admission: Adult $6 Child (3-12 yrs) $3 Senior Citizen $4 *Come as a family and receive Door Gifts

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1.

The words BIRD PARADISE are used in the advertisement to _______. (1) confirm that the activities are exciting (2) show that the birds are well-fed there (3) emphasize that the staff enjoy working there (4) convince visitors that it features birds as the main attraction ( ) Visitors can take pictures with the birds at the ___________. (1) Entrance (2) Plaza (3) Exit (4) Amphitheatre ( ) Visitors who come with their family _______. (1) have free entry (2) can watch the birds after closing hours (3) enjoy door gifts (4) get concessionary rate on entry ticket ( ) The advertisement encourages readers to go during the school holidays by offering _____________. (1) concession rates (2) door gifts (3) extension of operating hours (4) an exclusive feeding experience ( ) Visitors should visit the Amphitheatre at the BIRD PARADISE to ________. (1) to click pictures with the birds (2) to get concessionary tickets (3) to see the parrot show (4) to feed the birds (

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each question from 6 12, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4). (7 marks) 6. Of all the stamps in this stamp collection, only thirty per cent ________ of great value. (1) are (2) is (3) were (4) will (

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7.

In future, famous singers ______ to perform at charity concerts. (1) has been invited (2) are invited (3) will be invited (4) were invited ( ) Ann Tan, one of my friends from ballet class, _________ a great dancer. (1) are (2) am (3) is (4) will ( ) You were supposed ______ permission. (1) to ask for (3) asking

8.

9.

(2) (4)

ask asked ( )

10.

Parents ______ take care of their children. (1) mustn't (2) (3) shouldn't (4)

may ought to ( )

11.

If people ______ live forever the world ______ be overcrowded. (1) must, should (2) may, must (3) could, would (4) will, could ( ) She had an unpleasant experience ______ she was in Thailand. (1) but (2) because (3) and (4) while ( )

12.

For each question from 13 15, choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage. (3 marks) Goodbye (13) children! Mr Brown called, Remember to keep the house neat! His teenage sons, Tom and Jerry, sighed. Their father was a neat-freak and could not bear to see anything out of place. He had reminded the boys umpteen times to keep the house clean. As the door closed behind Mr Brown, an idea began to take shape in mischievous Jerrys mind. If their father was going to return only in four days, surely there would be time to clean up the house! Tom! He burst out as soon as he was certain his father was not in earshot (14) Why dont we invite our friends over for a party? It would be great fun!

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A mischievous gleam appeared in Toms eyes. That is a great idea, Jerry! Let (15) s call them now. The two boys high-fived and raced for the telephone. 13. (1) (3) [ , ] comma [ ! ] exclamation mark and inverted commas (2) (4) [ ! ] exclamation mark [ . ] full stop ( 14. (1) (3) 15. (1) (3) [ , : ] comma and semi-colon [ ! ] exclamation mark [ ! ] exclamation mark [ ] apostrophe (2) (4) (2) (4) [ . ] full stop and inverted commas [ ! ] exclamation mark ( [ , ] comma [ . ] full stop ( For each question from 16 20, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 16. James suffers from __________, hence he never travels on underground trains; he is deeply fearful of being in an enclosed space. (1) astraphobia (2) acrophobia (3) agoraphobia (4) claustrophobia ( ) Melissa was warned by her parents not to __________ personal details to strangers. (1) delve (2) divulge (3) conceal (4) enclose ( ) Heidi dislikes Joan and often makes ___________ about Joan behind her back. (1) disparaging (2) dramatic (3) complimentary (4) curt ( The commandos __________ the airplane in a bid to free the hostage. (1) defended (2) stormed (3) stomped (4) attacked ( 20. ) Bobby ____________ at the suggestion that he should take lesson on how to use the computer. (1) aghast (2) offended (3) bristled (4) bitter ( ) 104 ) )

17.

18.

19.

For each question from 21 25, choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined words. (5 marks) Habitually obedient to John, I came up to his chair; he spent some three minutes in thrusting out his tongue at me as far as he could without damaging the roots: I knew he would soon strike, and while (21) dreading the blow, I mused on the disgusting and ugly appearance of him who would presently deal it. I wonder if he read that (22) notion in my face; for, all at once, without speaking, he struck suddenly and strongly. I tottered, and on regaining my (23) balance retired back a step or two from his chair. That is for your (24) impudence in answering mama awhile since, said he, and for your sneaking way of getting behind curtains, and for the look you had in your eyes two minutes since, you rat! Accustomed to John Reeds abuse, I never had an idea of replying to it; my care was how to endure the blow which would certainly follow the (25) revilement. 21. (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) (1) (3) fearing anticipating sight wonder stature posture ingratitude impertinence insult revulsion (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) expecting waiting for ( 22. idea figure ( 23. position equilibrium ( 24. impatient insensitivity ( 25. comment remark ( Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 30. As a little girl, I had a great thirst for knowledge. I was very inquisitive and also impatient. I wanted immediate answers to all my questions. It was the case of I need answers and I need them now! I would insist that nothing remains unexplained or without 105 ) ) ) ) )

quantification. For example, when I made a new friend, I would immediately ask my mother what she thought of the person; I would get upset if she could not give me an instant or definitive answer. My mother, being the wise woman that she is, would always counsel patience. She would tell me that I cannot know everything at once. Mother would say that I need to give time for opinions to form gradually and for discovery to be made. Furthermore, due to human limitations, we may not always understand the explanations given but that is not to say that we should then dismiss them as untrue or non-existent. Her famous words were, Just because we dont understand something, doesnt mean that an explanation doesnt exist. I remember protesting whenever she said that. It was only years later, in the course of my travels and the many wonderful adventures that I had that I begin to appreciate my mothers wisdom. I can revel in the beauty of the Universe even though I do not fully understand her ways. I can see the beauty in the songs of the Tibetan people even though I do not speak their language, I can sometimes sense danger in places that I travel to, even though I do not quite know the source. Mother as always is right! For each question from 26 30, four options are given. . One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4). (5 marks) 26. When she was young, the narrator ____________________. sought to understand and solve sought a total understanding of the (1) (2) problems that she encountered world around her believe that some things do not was uninterested in the world (3) (4) have an explanation around her ( ) Which word below has the same meaning as inquisitive? (1) suspicious (2) insatiable (3) questioning (4) intelligent ( 28. ) The narrators mother believed that it is ___________ ___ that led people to believe that things do not exist if they cannot explain the phenomenon. (1) human beliefs (2) human superstition (3) human shortcomings (4) human problems ( )

27.

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29.

The sentence, I remember protesting whenever she said that, suggests that the narrator_______________________. agrees with what her mothers disagrees with what her mother (1) (2) views said was trying to show appreciation was a stubborn girl when she was (3) (4) young for her mothers wisdom ( ) Which of the following sentence is true? The narrator finally came round to her mothers views on (1) understanding things and the world around her. The narrator remains (3) unconvinced with regard to her mothers advice.

30.

(2)

The narrator agreed with her mothers view and that was confirmed later in her life. The narrator initially agreed with her mothers view but changed her mind later. ( )

(4)

There are 10 blanks, numbered 31 to 40, in the passage below. From the list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write its letter (A to Q) in the blank. (A) as (B) from (C) than (D) of (E) then (F) on (G) like (H) onto (J) form (K) in (L) off (M) to (N) while (P) that (Q) the

Then the day (31) _________ reckoning came for the Ang family and me. We were a bundle of nerves and our legs were trembling (32) _________ jelly as we made to bow before the Kempeitai. The Angs were subjected (33) _________ long hours of interrogation on what they knew about anti-Japanese groups in Singapore. Much to my horror, Mr Ang were subjected to the electric shock treatment (34) _________ Aunty Ang were given a lashing from a Kempeitai wielding a metal rod. The cries of anguish (35) _________ the Angs, whom I had come to regard as my family, pierced my heart and I felt anger rising in my belly. In a burst of anger, I threw myself at the Kempeitai and rained blows (36) _________ him with my fist. The next thing I knew, the Angs and I were herded (37) _________ a truck and we were taken along with forty or fifty other Chinese to Changi Beach. I knew the end was near and I wept, knowing (38) _________ I

107

would never get back to 2008 or see my mother and my family again. At the beach, we were told to dig a trench and, (39) _________, we were tied in doves of eight to ten or more. At that moment, I spied a pillbox erected on the wall of a demolished old bungalow. Then the machine gunning started. My companions were hit first and they dragged the rest of us down. As I fell, one of my companions fell on me and covered me. Then a few more bodies fell on me. After what seemed like eternity, the machine gunning stopped. However, to make sure we were all dead, the Japanese bayoneted us (40) _________ they passed. Just as they were bayoneting the body next to me, I blacked out. Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar. Write the correct word in the relevant box. According to Sensus (41) __________ 2000, almost three quarters of Singaporeans (74%) aged 60 and over, are living with at least one child. Although co-residence in itself does not necessarily show that someone is filial, it does show that majority of Singaporeans are not abandning (42) _________ their parents. It also shows a high level of intergeneration and familial support. Even more signifcent (43) __________ is the fact that 80% of the non-ambulant elderly, meaning those who could not look after their own basic needs, live with their children. The Census 2000 did not say whether these nonambulant parents were look after by their children or by maids. However, given the high cost for (44) _________ living in Singapore, it is likely that the adult children are working and leaving their non-ambulant parents in the care of maids. Although it is not the ideell (45) _________ situation, the fact that most children are preparing (46) _________ to pay for a maid to look after their non-ambulant parents so that they can continue to live with them shows that they do love their parents. However, filial piety certainly means more

108

than just staying under the same roof as your parents. It is important for children to be aware that they need to spend time with their parents, such as talking to them, bringing them out and looking after their emotional well being as well. Another indication that filial piety is still being observed in Singapore is that Singaporeans view it as important to provide financial support and spend time with time with their elderly parents. The results beyond (47) __________ the survey of Social Attitudes of Singaporeans (SAS) 2001-2003 show that Singaporeans, regardless of age, mostly agree (98%) that children should provide financial support to their elderly parents. Their actual behaviour backs their positive attitude as 75% of the elderly receive financial support from their children. Furthermore, not only do Singaporeans see it as their duty to provide for their parents material needs, the SAS 2000 also revealed that an ovewhlming (48) __________ number (99%) felt that children should put aside some time to spend with their parents, however busy. However, notwithstanding the fact that filial piety is a vurtue (49) _________ in our society, there are some signs that do not bode well for the future. One of this is the growing trend towards nuclear families. While the majority of Singaporeans still live with their elderly parents, the co-residence percentage has actually declined from 88% in 1988 to 74% in 2000. If this trend continues, it might mean that more and more senior citizens will live alone in future. However, it is also possible that this trend might have come about due to a change in the mindset of the elderly and not because they are being abandoned. As each generation become more educated and independent, they may chose to stay on their own rather than with their adult children. More study will have to be conducted to determined (50) _________ if this is the case. If this is so, it means that in future, co-

109

residence in itself might be less relevant as an indicator of the practice of filial piety in Singapore. Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (15 marks) In the (51) ___________ , Kampong Glam and later Geylang Serai were the main areas where the early Malay settlers lived and congregated and the (52) _________ of their presence can still be found in these places today. Kampung Glam, so called because of the Gelam trees that grew in the area, was the (53) _________ of the Malay royalty in Singapore. Under the Raffles Plan of 1822, Kampong Glam was (54) _________ for the Sultan and his household, as well as Malays and Arabs, many of whom were merchants. With the rapid (55) _________ of immigrant communities in Kampong Glam during the 19th century, initially from Sumatra and later from other parts of Indonesia and Malaya, Kampung Glam evolved with many sub-districts for the (56) _________ groups Kampung Melacca, Kampung Bugis and Kampung Java. The keen (57) _________ for land in Kampung Glam eventually led the Malay population there to move out en mass to Geylang Serai and Kampong Eunos in the 1920s, making the latter the new Malay (58)__________ until their resettlement by the government after Singapore became independent. Malay kampungs typically (59) _________ of traditional houses that were detached with no fences around them. These (60) _________ lodgings were usually made of timber and bamboo with attap (thatch) roof. They were usually raised on stilts or piles to avoid wild animals and floods, (61) _________ thieves and provide added ventilation in our warm (62) _________ weather. All traditional roofs were pitched to quickly drain off water. A traditional Malay timber house was almost always in at least two parts: the Main

110

House called Rumah Ibu in (63) _________ of the mother (ibu) and the simpler Rumah Dapur (kitchen). Additions to the house could be made as the family grew (64)___________ or if the owner became wealthier. As most activities take place on the floor, the need for furniture was minimal; bedding and sleeping mats were rolled up and stored during the day to (65) __________ the need for separate living and sleeping quarters. For each of the questions 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of the sentence must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s). 66. Mary said, this is the house where my great grand father was born. Mary said that

67.

The workers worked very hard. They could not complete the project on time. No matter

68.

Jane does not know where the library is. Lily does not know where the library is either. Neither

69.

My mother does not like reading the newspaper. She likes listening to the radio. My mother

111

70.

When did the children go fishing? George asked. George asked

Read the passage below and answer questions 71 to 80. (20 marks) She was the teacher from hell! The kind that you meet in nightmares and the reason why children hate school. To the school, she was Miss G for Grouchy. None of the students, however, ever referred to her real name when she was not present. It was amazing that someone so small in stature could strike such fear. Short and scrawny, with a sour yellowish complexion, long hawkish nose and thin mean lips, Miss G somehow managed to strike fear in the hearts of all her students and even her peers. I believed that even our principal was secretly afraid of her. Whatever Miss G wanted, she would get. Such was the power she had over the school. We knew our uck had run out when she became our form teacher. Everyone without exception prayed that the year would be over soon. Each morning was a war without declaration. No one knew who would be the victim for the day. All of us stood rod straight to attention, afraid to move till Miss G swaggered in, rapped the table with her steel ruler and scanned the class with her bloodshot eyes. Good morning, children! Good morning, teacher! The greeting was more like a rattling of swords than an exchange of pleasantries which was what it was intended to be. Then the war would begin often unannounced; Miss G would suddenly strike a blow at some poor unsuspecting boy with her ruler, dealing a blow that was so hard that the victim would recoil at the impact. Although this had become a routine, we were always caught off guard, mostly because you could never tell who she would pick on. The punishment preceded the charge. After the punishment comes a shower of angry spitting. Shuffling your feet! Slouching! Playing with your stationery! I will not put up with this! Miss Gs lessons were unmemorable and, I, for one, never felt that they were of much use. School to me seemed designed purely for the purpose of keeping us away from the crickets in the field and from enjoying the glorious sunshine. So while the bright times passed, we could only sit in our classroom and dream of the green fields and the sounds of

112

childrens laughter, and wished deep down that we could do murder! Then, quite unexpectedly it happened. Miss G was in her best form as tormentor and the poor lamb waiting to be slaughtered was Albert, who was no scholar by any stretch. It might be for that reason that Miss G took pleasure in goading him; forcing him to read aloud or asking him sudden unintelligible questions which made him flush and stumble. She was going on at him when he suddenly stood up and strode out of the classroom. Where do you think you are going? asked Miss G with her usual sneer. Its none of your business! replied Albert. We shivered with pleasure at this defiance, even as we held our breath at what was to unfold. Miss G sprang at Albert like a tiger with her claws out. There was a struggle and the next moment Miss G found herself on top of the stationery cupboard in the classroom. Help me, someone! wailed Miss G. But no one moved, and after a moment of silence, the whole class laid down our pens and started to stamp on the floor. From that day on, Albert became the school hero! All answers must be in complete sentences. 71. What can one conclude about Miss G given that she was called Miss Grouchy by the school?

72.

Who were the people who were afraid of Miss G? Cite evidence from the passage to support your answer.

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73.

Why did the narrator and his classmates pray that the year would be over soon?

74.

Why did the narrator say that each morning was a war without declaration?

75.

In para 3, the narrator said that this had become a routine, to what was he referring and what reasons did he give for them being caught unaware?

76.

What kind of punishment did Miss G inflict on her students?

114

77.

What did the narrator thought of school?

78.

Why do you think Albert flushed and stumbled?

79.

Why did Albert emerge as the school hero?

80.

Why did the boys in the class stamp their feet in unison?

115

Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 1

Q Q Q 1 2 16 2 31 D 2 2 17 1 32 G 3 1 18 1 33 A 4 1 19 3 34 E 5 3 20 1 35 H 6 3 21 1 36 F 7 3 22 2 37 B 8 1 23 3 38 C 9 2 24 1 39 J 10 2 25 2 40 K 11 4 26 3 12 1 27 1 13 1 28 2 14 2 29 1 15 4 30 2

41. from 45. was 49. competition 53. flying 57. back 61. it 65. surface 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73.

42. course 46. teeing 50. trophy 54. bird 58. addition 62. faster

43. with 47. sprung 51. wings 55. water 59. help 63. called

44. popularity 48. reference 52. enough 56. tails 60. backwards 64. fish

The old lady who was wearing a lot of jewellery was robbed. It was the stormy weather that caused the trip to be cancelled. Joo Kai prefers eating pizza to fried noodles. Daisy asked James if he had gone to the museum the day before. Gillian told her sister to leave her books alone. Wood panelling was first used during the reign of Henry III, 1216-1272. The Eleanor of Provence was the wife of Henry III. She encouraged more luxury in the homes of the barons and courtiers. A royal rule that required the King's great chamber at Westminster to be painted green, to have a French inscription painted and to paint the King's little wardrobe of a green colour to imitate a curtain showed that shows that our ancestors were becoming more refined in their tastes. Mediaeval art approached it best period in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The fashion in woodwork followed that of stone ornaments. The Church received the services of the finest wood-carvers. Hotel de Bohme, after having been the residence of several great personages was given by Charles VI of France in 1388 to his brother the Duke of Orleans. It had a bright and rich colouring This is because fourteenth century artisans of Paris had reached a very high degree of excellence in their craft and, hence, furniture made by them was considered to be more valuable. The word is inscription. The word is imitate.

74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 2

Q Q Q 1 2 16 1 31 A 2 4 17 1 32 E 3 1 18 2 33 K 4 4 19 3 34 D 5 4 20 4 35 G 6 3 21 2 36 M 7 1 22 4 37 N 8 4 23 2 38 Q 9 3 24 3 39 F 10 3 25 4 40 P 11 1 26 2 12 4 27 2 13 1 28 3 14 3 29 3 15 2 30 1

41. row 45. touch 49. mercilessly 53. pranks 57. warnings 61. culprit 65. remorse 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

42. steered 46. out 50. into 54. atrocious 58. least 62. behind

43. confidence 47. vulnerability 51. notorious 55. terribly/horribly 59. classmates 63. damaged

44. serenity 48. tranquillity 52. worse 56. plague 60. sparked 64. act

Georges behaviour was so unexpected that Jenny was shocked. If Leela was more focused, she could have won the badminton match. Peter to whom the teacher entrusted the books is the class monitor. John, who scolded us, is here. I am tired because I have not slept for many days. Tom felt sad and down-hearted as he felt that no-one loved or cared for him. He felt that his Aunt was trying to get rid of him. He blamed his Aunt for causing him to run away from home and thereby forcing him to lead a life of crime. When Tom thought of the fact that he would never hear the sound of his school bell again as he was running away, he was overcome by emotion and started sobbing. Tom considered Joe Harper to be his sworn friend as Joe looked as sad as Tom did and he looked like he had been suffering from neglect at home. Like Tom, Joe had been thinking of running away from home and, hence, he had come to meet Tom before doing so to ask Tom to remember him after he left the place. Joes mother had whipped him for drinking some cream which he had never tasted and know nothing about. He felt this was unjust and was her way of telling him to leave the house. Joe hoped that his mother would be happy and never regret having driven her poor boy out into the unfeeling world to suffer and die. They made a pact to stand by each other and be brothers and to never separate till death relieved them of their troubles. The word is resolution. The word is submit.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 3

Q Q Q 1 2 16 2 31 G 2 4 17 4 32 C 3 4 18 1 33 J 4 3 19 1 34 D 5 2 20 2 35 P 6 2 21 2 36 A 7 1 22 3 37 B 8 3 23 2 38 M 9 2 24 3 39 N 10 3 25 3 40 Q 11 2 26 2 12 2 27 4 13 1 28 1 14 2 29 1 15 1 30 3

41. have 45. emanated 49. by 53. across 57. shelter 61. slammed 65. against 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78.

42. derelict 46. curiosity 50. scurried 54. shivering 58. howled 62. enveloped

43. spread 47. made 51. lashed 55. leisurely 59. refuge 63. pervaded

44. vacant 48. through 52. streaks 56. stretch 60. pounding 64. tempted

Though the computer is a very useful machine, it can only perform a specific task if it is programmed to do so. James would rather play computer games than go swimming. Neither Jenny nor her group members know the answer to the question. No matter how much Peter loves mushrooms, he did not pluck the wild mushrooms in the jungle which he suspected were poisonous. Terrences examination begins in an hours time but he is still in bed. The King and Queen were unhappy as even though they had been married for many years, they had no children. The Queen, who had seen the little fish thrown itself out of the water and gasping on the banks, had saved the fishs life by throwing it back again into the river. The Fish repaid the Queen by blessing her with a daughter, whom she soon gave birth to. He wanted to celebrate the birth of his beautiful daughter and to show her off to everyone in the land. The Queen wanted the fairies to come as she felt they would bless her daughter and be kind and good to her. The King invited only twelve fairies as the King and Queen had only twelve golden dishes for them to eat out of for the feast. The Thirteenth Fairys cursed was that the Kings daughter would be wounded by a spindle on her fifteenth birthday and fall down dead. The author wanted to show the difference in mood between the Thirteenth fairy and the other twelfth fairies. The other twelfth fairies word red caps and shoes because they were happy while the thirteenth fairy wore black to show that she was in a bad mood. The phrase is come to pass. The phrase is gasping.

79. 80.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Paper 4

Q Q Q 41. 45. 49. 53. 57. 61. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 1 2 16 1 31 A 2 3 17 2 32 E 3 4 18 2 33 Q 4 3 19 1 34 H 5 4 20 3 35 K 6 4 21 2 36 F 7 4 22 1 37 N 8 3 23 4 38 M 9 2 24 1 39 G 10 2 25 1 40 L 11 3 26 2 12 3 27 1 13 3 28 3 14 2 29 3 15 3 30 2

proposed convenience consideration through silent pursue himself

42. requiring 46. do 50. exorbitant 54. company 58. aside 62. terrified

43. wear 47. wondering 51. nature 55. avoid 59. down 63. force

44. stifle 48. will 52. mostly 56. entered 60. shook 64. dear

Neither Lisa nor Peggy know where the books are. The burglar broke the lock on the door before creeping into the house. Ahmad put on his raincoat for he did not want to get drenched in the rain. Miss Linda said that she was going to bake a cake that afternoon. Despite the fact that Jamie is a handicap and is wheelchair bound, she still wants to join the race. The Portuguese believed that India could be reached by means of a southeast passage and, hence, spent their time and money trying to sail around the African coast. The King selected Diaz as he was a brave and daring navigator who, unlike the other sailors, was not afraid of trying to cross the burning zone as the equator was then called. Diaz was sent to find the end of the African coast. Portugal and Spain were competing to see which one of them would reach India first. The severe storm arose after Diaz sailed beyond the Tropic of Capricorn. The storm blew Diazs vessels southwards for thirteen days during which time he lost sight of land. After reaching the Cape of Good Hope, Diaz pushed on four hundred miles farther along the coast of Africa before he saw the Indian Ocean. Diaz had no choice but to return to Portugal even though he wanted to reach India as the other sailors refused to continue with the journey. It was renamed as The Cape of Good Hope. This was because there was hope after they had found it that the southern route to India had been found. The word is severe. The word is obliged.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 1

Q Q Q 1 2 16 2 31 D 2 4 17 1 32 F 3 3 18 1 33 A 4 3 19 2 34 M 5 2 20 4 35 N 6 1 21 2 36 Q 7 1 22 3 37 C 8 1 23 1 38 J 9 3 24 4 39 L 10 1 25 3 40 H 11 2 26 3 12 2 27 1 13 1 28 4 14 3 29 3 15 1 30 2

41. is 45. believe 49. behaviour 53. geared 57. writhing 61. figment 65. uncontrollably 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

42. subscribe 46. astray 50. is 54. shattered 58. pervaded 62. engulfed

43. caning 47. instil 51. streets 55. split 59. believe 63. assistance

44. are 48. includes 52. shoppers 56. dripping 60. safe 64. bodies

In spite of the heavy rain, Jane still insists on going swimming. Even though she was badly injured, she continued to run the rest of the marathon. Father is talking to someone whom we do not know. Mr Teo, who is talking to my parents now, is my Science teacher. That gown which is blue in colour caught her fancy. The narrators pursuers were familiar with the terrain of the land while the narrator did not know the area well. It was because his problem was too complex for him to be able to explain it to the old gentleman in the short time that he had. They were the policemen who were pursuing the narrator. The word is scrutinised. The old man was too overly confident and cool as he had expected the narrator to come and hide in his house. The old man wanted to help the narrator hide from his pursuers. The word is anticipate. When the narrator saw the old mans eyelids drooping over his eyes, he remembered Scudders description of the man he feared most in his life. The old ruffian was the old man who was living in the house and the narrator was unsuccessful as the old man had anticipated the narrators move and his menservants had the narrator covered with pistols. The narrators name is Richard Hannay.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 2

Q Q Q 1 3 16 2 31 A 2 1 17 4 32 G 3 2 18 2 33 J 4 4 19 1 34 N 5 3 20 3 35 Q 6 1 21 1 36 C 7 2 22 1 37 E 8 3 23 3 38 L 9 3 24 4 39 F 10 3 25 2 40 P 11 1 26 4 12 4 27 1 13 3 28 2 14 2 29 3 15 2 30 1

41. was howling 45. huddling 49. lashed 53. than 57. rose 61. hunted 65. stared 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78.

42. freak 46. deafening 50. grabbed 54. associate 58. freely 62. and

43. pelted 47. with 51. some 55. interest 59. light 63. fear

44. were 48. written 52. none 56. logical 60. state 64. doubt

79. 80.

Melissa would rather take part in art competitions than dance competitions. Miss Tang asked her students if they had handed in their homework that day. Mandy, who is Georges cousin, enjoys shopping. That woman whom John is standing next to is my neighbour. Helping people gives Jennifer a sense of satisfaction and joy. The narrator was panic stricken as after being momentarily blinded by a bright light, she found herself in a different place from the antique shop that she was in earlier with her mother, who was now no where in sight. This was because the people that she saw around her were wearing traditional Chinese, Malay and Indian costumes. The narrator was prevented from approaching anyone for help by loud explosions which caused the ground to shake with the force of an earthquake. The narrator was referring to the Japanese fighter planes that were dropping bombs on the people in the city. The word is ludicrous. The narrator concluded that she had been transported back n time to 1942 after she saw the Japanese planes dropping bombs on Singapore. The narrator was sad and depressed as seen from phrases such as devastated and a sinking heart. In a bid to get Mrs Ang to believe her, the narrator told Mrs Ang about things that would happen in the near future such as the Japanese plan to attack Pulau Ubin the day after to mislead the British into thinking that they would attack Singapore from the northeast when their real plan was to land on the northwest coast, repair the causeway and cross into Singapore. The sentence They all thought that the shock of the earlier bombing had caused me to lose my mind, suggested that the Ang family did not believe the narrator. It was because they were hoping to get into the good books of the new Japanese ruler especially since they had heard of the many atrocities committed by the Japanese in China.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 3

Q Q Q 1 2 16 2 31 D 2 1 17 3 32 H 3 3 18 2 33 M 4 1 19 4 34 P 5 4 20 1 35 K 6 2 21 1 36 F 7 2 22 2 37 C 8 3 23 3 38 J 9 2 24 4 39 B 10 2 25 4 40 L 11 1 26 2 12 4 27 1 13 3 28 1 14 4 29 3 15 1 30 4

41. Its 45. overwhelmed 49. am 53. night 57. smoke 61. licked 65. unscathed 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

42. excitement 46. took 50. hectic 54. fire 58. hysterically 62. doom

43. do 47. went 51. with 55. clouds 59. overlooked 63. matter

44. souvenirs 48. flash 52. filled 56. tragic 60. billowing 64. relief

Much to Marys disappointment, her gymnastic team did not make it into the finals. Unless it rains, we shall go canoeing. Teacher asked if John had revised for his test the previous day. Neither Anna nor her daughters know how to cook. Melissa prefers coffee to tea. He was called the King of Crimes because he was a top gangster in Chicago and controlled many gangs there. He had learned little and could barely speak English when he was expelled by the school he was attending at the age of fourteen. Capones family was poor and his father did not have much time to discipline his children and ensure that they do not fall under the influence of the gangs that ruled the streets in the place where they lived as he was struggling to make ends meet. The word is slums. The people who initiated Capone into a life of crime were his gang members from the Five Pointers gang, Frankie Yale and Johnny Torrio. He made his fortune by selling alcohol, which was illegal at that time, to people who were willing to pay a high price to drink alcohol. He became powerful by using the money he made illegally to bribe politicians and policemen so that no one would dare oppose him. He lived by the principle, kill or be killed. The phrase refers to those who either work for or support Capone. Capone loved to boast about the crimes he had committed and this suggest that he was proud of them rather than remorseful.

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Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Paper 4

Q Q Q 1 4 16 4 31 D 2 2 17 2 32 G 3 3 18 1 33 M 4 4 19 3 34 N 5 3 20 3 35 B 6 2 21 1 36 F 7 3 22 2 37 H 8 3 23 4 38 P 9 1 24 3 39 E 10 4 25 1 40 A 11 3 26 2 12 4 27 3 13 1 28 3 14 2 29 1 15 3 30 1

41. Census 45. ideal 49. virtue 53. site 57. competition 61. deter 65. eliminate 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75.

42. abandoning 46. prepared 50. determine 54. designated 58. enclaves 62. tropical

43. significant 47. from 51. past 55. growth 59. consisted 63. honour

44. of 48. overwhelming 52. effects 56. different 60. traditional 64. bigger

76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

Mary said that was the house where her great grandfather had been born. No matter how hard they worked, the workers could not complete the project on time. Neither Jane nor Lily knows where the library is. My mother prefers listening to the radio to reading newspaper. George asked when the children had gone fishing. It suggested that Miss G was very easily annoyed, grouchy and unpopular. Besides the student, the teachers and even the principal were afraid of Miss G as seen from the reference to the fact that she strike fear in the hearts of her students, peers and even the principal, as well as the fact that she always gets her way. The narrator and his classmates dreaded having Miss G as their form teacher for the year and, hence, they hoped that the year would be over soon so that they could have a new form teacher. It was because Miss G would come in to class every morning and punish the students without giving them an explanation. The narrator was referring to the fact that it was part of Miss Gs routine to pick on and punish them even before they start lesson. Even though they knew that she would pick on them they were unable to avoid the attacks because they did not know who she would pick on. She would hit them, spit at them and scold them. He thought that school was designed to stop them from enjoying the outdoors and sunshine and that there was no point going to school. He was embarrassed as he could not answer Miss G questions. He stood up to Miss Gs bullying and punished her by putting her on top of the cupboard when nobody else dared to. They were happy that Miss G had been punished by Albert and that was their way of cheering and showing approval for Albert.

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