English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Arise and Shine Mock Exams 2022

Instructions to Students.

1. Write your name and admission no. in the space provided.
2. Sign and write the date of exam in the space provided
3. Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.
4. Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as indicated and that no question is missing.
5. Candidates must answer all the questions in English.

For Examiners Use Only

QUESTION

1. COMPREHENSION (20 MARKS)
   Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
   Writing skills are an important part of communication. Good writing skills allow you to communicate your message with clarity and ease to a far larger audience than through face-to-face or telephone conversations.
   You might be called upon to write a report, plan or strategy at work; write a grant application or press release within a volunteering role; or you may fancy communicating your ideas online via a blog. And, of course, a well written CV or resume with no spelling or grammatical mistakes is essential if you want a new job.
   Today, when anyone can be their own publisher, we see more and more examples of poor writing skills both in print and on the web. Poor writing skills create poor first impressions and many readers will have an immediate negative reaction if they spot a spelling or grammatical mistake. As just one example, a spelling mistake on a commercial web page may cause potential customers to doubt the credibility of the website and the organization.
   Correct grammar, punctuation and spelling are key in written communications. The reader will form an opinion of you, the author, based on both the content and presentation, and errors are likely to lead them to form a negative impression.
   If you are unconvinced about the importance of accurate writing, think of the clues we use to identify spam emails, "phishing" websites, and counterfeit products: poor grammar and spelling.
   Similarly, some employers state publicly that any CV or resume containing spelling or grammatical mistakes will be rejected immediately, whilst a BBC news article quotes research that calculates spelling mistakes cost online businesses "millions" in lost sales.
   Checking for poor writing and spelling mistakes should be seen as a courtesy to your readers since it can take them much longer to understand the messages in your writing if they have to think and re-read text to decipher these.
   All written communications should therefore be re-read before sending to print, or hitting the send button in the case of emails, as it is likely that there will be errors. Do not assume that spelling and grammar checkers will identify all mistakes as many incorrect words can indeed be spelt correctly (for example, when "their" is used instead of "there" or "principle" instead of "principal") or entire words may be missing. If at all possible, take a break before re-reading and checking your writing, as you are more likely to notice problems when you read it fresh.
   Even if you know spelling and grammar rules, you should still double-check your work or, even better, have it proof-read by somebody else. Our brains work faster than our fingers can type the accidental typographical errors (typos) inevitably creep in.
   The good news is that writing is a skill, which can be learned like any other. One trick for checking and improving your work is to read it aloud. Reading text forces you to slow down and you may pick up problems with the flow that your eye would otherwise skip over.
   As well as grammar, spelling and punctuation, it is important to remember your audience.
   Always write with your audience in mind, and it can also help to bear in mind the medium in which you plan to publish. This knowledge will help you decide whether you need to write in a formal style or a more informal one, and will also help you to decide on a suitable structure.
   1. Why are good writing skills important? (3 marks)
   2. What effect does poor writing skills have? (2 marks)
   3. In point form, write the steps involved in good (5 marks)
   4. Explain the irony in paragraph three. (3 marks)
   5. ‘The good news is that writing is a skill which can be learned like any other’
      Add a question tag. (1 mark)
   6. Mention four things, apart from grammar, spelling and punctuation that the writer advocates we should remember when writing. (2 marks)
   7. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as they are used in the passage. (4 marks)
      1. Counterfeit products.
      2. Decipher
      3. Phishing
      4. Commercial
2. EXCERPT (BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH) (25 MARKS)
   

   Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow
   Nasila River - cool, smooth and silent - swirled quietly about the boulders that were half submerged in it. It was deep and wide. She stood at its bank for a long time, staring down, into the water. Could the answer to her woes be in that river? Yes, it could be! Just a swift, cold shock as she fell into the water and then there would be peace. Yes, peace all over, from her father, from Oloisudori and from the fact that she had failed to get admission to Egerton University. As the idea floated in her mind, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Shocker, she turned around. It was Olarinkoi.

   "What are you doing here at the river side"? he asked with little interest.

   "Nothing." Resian said nonchalantly. "I am just relaxing."

   "Don't be foolish, little girl," Olarinkoi said seriously. "You may not want to tell me what is happening, but lam not foolish and I can put one and one together. Oloisudori's men are now looking for you everywhere. They have instructions to seize you and take you to Nakuru to be his wife.

   "Just leave me," Resian said angrily, "Go tell them to come and find me here."

   "Listen, you stupid girl," Olarinkoi said in his caustic language. "If you do not want to marry Oloisudori, I can rescue you the way I rescued you from those vagabonds who had accosted you and your sister. I know where Minik ene Enkoitoi the Emakererei lives and where she keeps girls rescued from the situation you are now in. There is no need to despair in life. There is always another chance."

   That could be something to consider, Resian thought, new hope rising in her heart. Yes, it would be wonderful to be received by Emakererei. And who knows, there could still be a chance to enrol at the Egerton University, through Emakererei.

   " How could we ever get there?" asked Resian a flicker of hope lighting her heart. "I hear it is very far from here."

   "Yes it is far," confirmed Olarinkoi. "But where there is hope things always work out. The Maa people say home is never far for one who is still alive."

   1. Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
   2. Describe the incident that Olarinkoi claims to have rescued Taiyo and her sister. (2 marks)
   3. Discuss a thematic concern found in the excerpt. (2 marks)
   4. What does the author imply when he says, "could the answer to her woes be in that river?" (2 marks)
   5. Explain the irony in the excerpt. (2 marks)
   6. Apart from irony, comment on any other two aspects of style that the writer has used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
   7. From elsewhere in the novel, state the prophecy that Olarinkoi is trying to fulfill when he plans to rescue Resian. (3 marks)
   8. Comment on the character of Olarinkoi later in the novel. (2 marks)
   9. What is the attitude of Resian towards Oloisudori's proposal? (2 marks)
   10. Give the meaning of the following words: (2 marks)
       1. Nonchalantly
       2. Put one and one together.
3. POETRY (20 MARKS)
   

   Read the poem below and answer the questions below.

   WEDDING EVE

   Should I
   Or should I not
   Take the oath to love
   Forever
   This person I know little about?
   Does she love me
   Or my car
   Or my future
   Which I know little about?

   Will she continue to love me?
   When the future she saw in me
   Crumbles and fades into nothing
   Leaving the naked me
   To love without hope?

   Will that smile she wears
   Last through the hazards to come
   When fate strikes
   Across the dreams of tomorrow?

   Or will she
   Like the clever passenger in a faulty plane
   Wear her life jacket
   And jump out to save her life
   Leaving me to crash into the unknown

   What magic can I use
   To see what lies beneath
   Her angel face and well-knit hair
   To see her hopes and dreams
   Before I take the oath
   To love forever?

   We are both wise chess players
   She makes a move
   I make a move
   And we trap each other in our secret dreams
   Hoping to win against each other

   Questions

   1. Briefly explain what the poem is about (3 marks)
   2. Identify and describe the persona in the poem (2 marks)
   3. Highlight three features of style used in the poem and show their effectiveness (6 marks)
   4. Describe the attitude of the persona towards the 'she' in the poem (3 marks)
   5. Comment on the tone of the persona (2 marks)
   6. We are both wise chess players. Add a question tag (1 mark)
   7. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem (3 marks)
      1. Will that smile she wears last through the hazards to come
      2. Leaving the naked me
      3. the clever passenger in a faulty plane...
4. GRAMMAR
   Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. (4 marks)
   1. "Where is my assignment?" the angry teacher demanded
      (Begin: The angry)
   2. So fearful is she that she cannot go out of their house at night.
      (Rewrite using too)
   3. The principal is teaching Form Two East. (change the sentence into the passive form)
   4. After a new manager was appointed, profits began to improve (Begin: Subsequent ..........)

Fill the blank spaces with the appropriate form of the word in brackets. (5 marks)

1. The government should not only build roads but also schedule their................................. (Maintain)
2. I would like to renew my.............................................. (subscribe)
3. We need to consider his................................................ (argue)
4. The queen's.................................... impressed everybody. (Elegant)
5. She was sacked due to chronic............................................ (absent)

Replace the underlined words with the appropriate phrasal verb beginning with the words in brackets. (3 marks)

1. Unrecognized universities produce incompetent graduates. (churn)
2. Most company managers do not tolerate lateness among workers. (Put)
3. The students liked him at once. (Fall).

Explain the meaning of each idiomatic expression. (3 marks)

1. Living from hand to mouth.
2. A bitter pill to swallow.
3. Make head or tail.

MARKING SCHEME 

1. UNSEEN TEXT (20 MARKS)
   1. They allow you to communicate your message with clarity and ease to a far larger audience than through face to face or telephone answers. (3marks)
   2. Creates poor first impressions and immediate negative reaction if they spot a spelling or grammatical mistake.
   3. Summary of the steps involved in good writing
      • Check for poor writing and spelling mistakes
      • re-read all written communications
      • do not assume that spelling and grammar checkers will identify all mistakes
      • even if you know spelling and grammar rules, double-check your work
      • or have it proof-read by somebody else as many incorrect words can indeed be spelt correctly
   4. Irony
      • Today in the 21st century it is expected that literacy levels have risen and people know how to write well. Instead more and more examples of poor writing skills both in print and on the web are seen.
   5. , isn’t it?
   6. Audience
      • The medium
      • Formal/informal style
      • Structure
   7. Meanings of words
      • Counterfeit products - fake materials
      • Decipher - make out
      • Phishing - hacking
      • Commercial - business
2. EXCERPT (BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH) (25 MARKS)
   1. Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
      Before - at the shop - Resian is told by her father of Oloisudori's intention to marry her
      • She refuses, shouts, cries and screams and accuses her father of betrayal.
      • her father slaps her twice but still refuses
      • she insists that she will not marry Oloisudori and must go to university.
      • She turns and walks to the door and leaves the shop
      • walks towards Nasila River
        After - Olarinkoi promises to take her to a family in Nasila to spend the night
      • He organizes transport so that they leave early the following day
      • Early the following day, Resian is woken up by the kind-hearted old woman who accommodated her, with hot porridge
      • A pick-up hoots outside the old woman's house
      • Olarinkoi tells Resian to climb onto the back of the pick-up and they leave
   2. Describe the incident that Olarinkoi claims to have rescued Taiyo and her sister. (4 marks)
      • The two sisters were walking back home from the shop late in the afternoon (3 oclock). Two men appeared and blocked the road. One tried to Drag Taiyo into the bush while the other wrestled Resian. Suddenly a stranger appeared. (Olarinkoi) appeared and fought the two men thereby becoming the hero of the day.
   3. Discuss a thematic concern found in the excerpt. (2 marks)
      • Determination – Resiant is determine not to be married to Oloisudori, hence decides to run away.
      • Hope – “who knows thee could still be a chance to join Egerton University.”
      • Education-“who knows there could still be a chance to join Egerton University.”
      • Any other relevant with illustration)
   4. What does the author imply when he says; “could the answer to her woes be in that river? (2 mark)
      • Means that Resianis thinking of ending her life y drowning in river Nasila
   5. Explain the irony in the excerpt (3 marks)
      • Olarinkoi claiming to take Resian to safety while in the real sense he is forcefully taking her to be his wife.
   6. Explain two styles that the writer has used in the excerpt t4 marks)
      • Dialogue…illustration…indicates the urgency of Resian’s problem and possible
      • Solution/breaks monotony of narration
      • Description River Nasila is described …cool, smooth, silent swirled quietly-to symbolize the peace that can be found by the river side.
      • Historical allusion –Egerton university-makes the story real/believable
      • Local words-home is never far from one who is still alive-brings to view the rich heritage in language/points o Rsian’s start of a new home.
   7. From elsewhere in the novel, state the prophecy that Olarinkoi is trying to fulfill when he plans to rescue Resian. (3mks)
      • Olrinkol’s mother had prophesied that Ole Kaelo would relocate to Nasila, and brings along with him his intoiyie nemengalana , her son Olarinkoi would move to that home. Live with the Kaelo’s for some time and eventually bring one of his daughters to be circumcised and be given to him as his wife.
   8. Comment on the character of Olorinkoi later in the novel. (3 marks)
      • He is abusive – He uses caustic language (Pg 211). He uses very abusive language on Resian even after she is emotionally unstable (pg 217) He calls Nabaru a filthy woman for escaping with Resian (Pg 249)
      • He is Rough/violent – On the day he abducts Resian, he goes drinking and comes late in the night kicking the door roughly (Pg 211)
      • He is beastly – He attempts to rape Resian while drunk (Pg 221) He promises to do something nasty to Nabaril in case she returns after taking Resian to the ranch (Pg 249)
        (Accept any other relevant character trait)
   9. She is optimistic that finally her dream of meeting her role model, Emakererei would be achieved.
      1. Nonchalantly – h a calm and relaxed manner
      2. Make an obvious conclusion

1. POETRY

1. Briefly explain what the poem is about (3 marks)
   The poem is about a groom who expresses his fears about marriage and the uncertainty with which he finds himself about the woman he is about to marry. He is not sure of her love for him or if it is his possession she loves like his car. (Must illustrate)
2. Identify and describe the persona in the poem (2 marks)
   The persona is a groom who is about to marry. He is doubtful/uncertain.✔1 He is in a dilemma on whether to take the action or not owing to the fact that he knows little about the bride...✔1 should I or should I not take the oath to love...
3. Highlight three features of style used in the poem and show their effectiveness (6 marks)
   Rhetoric question: should I or should I not
   • He is in a dilemma on whether to take action or not. It shows the indecisiveness of the persona
     Metaphor: her angel face.
   • It shows that she is beautiful and innocent
     Symbolism: we are both wise chess players....
   • Shows that each has to act wisely, measure their action and words
     Similes: or she like a clever passenger... shows the passenger is doubtful of being left in times of danger or trouble
     (Any 3. identification 1mark, illustration 1mark, effectiveness 1 mark)
4. Describe the attitude of the persona (3 marks)
   • The persona is apprehensive/doubtful ✔1. He is doubtful of the imaginary unpleasant outcome of marriage.
   • The persona is fearful of the unknown in marriage.
5. Comment on the tone of the poem (2 marks)
   • Worried/anxious; the persona is not sure of the action to take and the possible outcome. He is not sure of how his partner will behave later in life... will that smile she wears last...
6. We are both wise chess players. Add a question tag (1 mark)
   • Must rewrite the question.
   • We are both wise chess players, aren't we?
7. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem (3 marks)
   1. Will that smile she wears last through the hazards to come
      • He wonders if the woman he loves will continue to smile or love him even during difficult times in marriage
   2. Leaving the naked me
      • He fears he will be left exposed or lonely with nothing if anything happens and the marriage does not work
   3. ....clever passenger in a faulty plane...
      • He fears that the bride may choose to make the easier option of leaving him if the marriage does not work.

4. GRAMMAR

1.                              
   1. The angry teacher demanded to know where his/her/their assignment was.
   2. Too fearful is she to go out of their house at night/She is too fearful to go out of their house at night.
   3. Form Two (must be capital to score) East is being taught by the Principal.
   4. Subsequent to the appointment of the new manager, profits began to improve.
      (The comma is mandatory to score)
2.                      
   1. Maintenance
   2. Subscription
   3. Argument
   4. Elegance
   5. Absence
3.                      
   1. churn out
   2. put up with
   3. Fell for
4.                    
   1. To struggle to get one's daily bread.
   2. Difficult to accept
   3. Understand/figure out