ENGLISH PAPER 2 - 2019 KCSE TAP TRIAL MOCK EXAMS (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)

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  1. Read the following comprehension and answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)
    Over the years man has cultivated to exhaustion the better soils in the plains. This has led to progressive destruction of land to the point where some of the steeper hill slopes are cultivated so that widespread erosion has been initiated. Meanwhile, the livestock are continuously being forced on to smaller areas of poorer land and further up the hill slopes where they have to compete with foresters. As a result the quantities of animal proteins, so necessary to human health, have steadily declined. Surprisingly, instead of accepting the responsibility for all his destruction, man blames livestock and in particular the goat.

    Man has repeatedly failed to do anything to restore the fertility of the soils he has ravaged. After the last miserable crop has been harvested the land has been left to weeds. No attempt has been made to plant grass or to under plant the last agricultural crop with fodder species. Had this been done rehabilitation would have been quicker and sure and erosion would have been reduced. Thus the gradually worsening situation would be arrested.

    If man would shoulder the responsibility for his own greedy misuse of the land, the goat could easily carry the blame for its own much smaller share in this degradation. Unfortunately, because human nature is what it is, man will find something to blame for his won carelessness. The goat has been chosen to carry this blame largely because it is often the last animal to be seen wresting a precarious living from the areas where man has done his worst and from which cattle and sheep have long since been forced to move.

    Conservation of land depends on proper planning. Livestock numbers therefore, irrespective of species, should be strictly limited to a density which will permit pasture renewal instead of causing its degeneration. This adjustment of numbers should help man to have a balanced mixture of livestock.

    Many writers in recent years have tried to show that there has been considerable improvement in mountain grazing areas after the banishment of the goat. Most, however, fail to indicate to what extent this has been due solely to the removal of the goat or to a reduction in other livestock densities or other measures such as erosion control, terracing, the building of gabions and grass plan planting. It is essential to ensure that results which are obtained in one environment are not automatically applied to different one. (Adapted from observation on the goat)
    1. According to paragraph one of the passage, who has man used as a scapegoat?      (2 marks)
    2. In paragraph two, what two words show that land has not been very productive.   (2 marks)
    3. Why has the quantities of animal proteins necessary to human health declined?      (2 marks)
    4. Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions given.
      1. Unfortunately, because human nature is what it is, man will find something to blame for his own carelessness.
        (Begin: The author stated that …………….)                                                 (2 marks)
      2. Thus, the gradually worsening situation would be arrested.
        (Add a question tag). (2 marks)
    5. What could have been done to ensure quicker rehabilitation and reduce erosion.     (2 marks)
    6. What other words could be used in place of those given without changing the meaning.(4 marks)
      1. Initiated 
      2. Miserable
      3. Degradation
      4. Banishment 
    7. Rewrite in the active voice.
      1. The goat has been chosen for this blame. (2 marks)
      2. Livestock are continually being forced onto poorer areas.
    8. How would you sum up the author’s argument in 1 or 2 sentences?                         (2 marks)
  1. Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
    “No Joseph,” she said in an infantile whimper. “Ican’t bear that we can’t express the love that we have for one another because of some primitive culture. If by loving you, I offend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend and face the consequences of doing so!”

    “I also love you very much,” Joseph Parmuat responded finally. “I loved you the moment I saw you during your father’s homecoming ceremony. But then the clan matter came to separate us. It is true we have no blood relation. But Nasila culture dictates who are related and who are not. We are slotted among those who cannot marry.”

    “No, it can’t be, I cannot accept its verdict,” she said petulantly her words agonised. “No way, never!” She stopped, confused and angry with herself at her inarticulate outburst. She took several long steadying breaths and then said, “I cannot accept that a culture that does not feed,clothe or house me comes to control my life. Our lives belong to us, Joseph. The destiny of our lives is in our own hands. We should guard it jealously.”At last they drew a little a part .His eyes were open, honest and steady upon her face.
    1. What happens before this excerpt? (3mks)
    2. For both Joseph and Taiyo, give and illustrate two character traits. (4mks)
    3. How is dialogue significant in this excerpt? (4mks)
    4. Explain any two thematic concerns addressed in the excerpt. (4mks)
    5. From elsewhere in the novel, how does Joseph sacrifice for his love for Taiyo?(4mks)
    6. Explain the meaning of the following vocabulary as used in the excerpt. (4mks)
      1. destiny
      2. infantile
      3. petulantly
      4. primitive
    7. What happens immediately after this extract? (2mks)
  2. Read the poem below carefully and answer the questions that follow.

    Pedestrian to passing Benz-man
    You man, lifted gently
    Out of the poverty and suffering
    We so recently shared; I say
    Why splash the muddy puddle onto
    My bare legs as if, still unsatisfied
    With your seated opulence
    You must sully the unwashed
    With your diesel-smoke and mud-water
    and force him buy, beyond his mean
    A bar of soap from your shop?
    A few years back we shared a master
    Today you have none, while I have
    Exchanged a parasite for something worse
    But maybe a few years is too long a time.
    1. Briefly explain what is happening in the poem.   (3 marks)
    2. With two illustrations from the poem, describe the economic condition of the persona.     (4 marks)
    3. Explain the significance of the following images in the poem.(6 marks)
      1. Muddy puddle/mud-water. 
      2. Diesel smoke. 
    4. What is the importance of the last line in relation to the rest of the poem.                (4 marks)
    5. Explain the tone of the poem.     (3 marks)
  1. GRAMMAR
    1. Use the comparative form of the word in brackets at the end of each sentence to fill the blank space correctly. (3 marks)
      1. Grace could not have been _________________ about our plans. (happy)
      2. The cake has a ______________ flavour than the one you made last week. (rich)
      3. Last July, I had the ____________   of my life. (bad)
    2. Choose the correct form of words in brackets to complete each of the sentences below. (2 marks)
      1. Who broke the handle (off, of) this cup?
      2. Choose (among, between) these sick.
    3. Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets.   (2 marks)
      1. We will give the winner a prize.         (whoever)
      2. “Goodness always conquers evil,” is my favourite life saying.          (me)
    4. In the following sentences, insert the word in brackets into the correct position.   (2 marks)
      1. They had a political argument.     (absurd)
      2. She sold her house.     (comfortable, wooden)
    5. For each of the following sentences, write the tense of the verb in brackets according to the instruction given.  (3 marks)
      1. The canoe ends (taper) to make the craft glide through the marsh.(Present continuous).
      2. The plants, called blushes, (provide) both new and replacement coverings for summer lodges.     (Future tense)
      3. The Kalispel women (follow) this way of life for many years. (Past tense)
    6. Add question tags to the following statements.                                                         (3 marks)
      1. William is such a talented guitarist.
      2. Mwombe dared the mob to attack him. 
      3. Let’s respond to the distress call. 


MARKING SCHEME

QUESTION ONE

  1.  
    1. Livestock
    2. Miserable crop.
    3. Livestock are continuously being forced onto smaller areas of poorer land, and further up the hill slopes where they have to compete with foresters.
    4.  
      1. The author stated that human nature being what it was, man would find something to blame for his own carelessness.
      2. Wouldn’t it?
        (NB: No mark if the question mark is missing and a coma).
      3. - Plant grass.
    5. Under plant the last agricultural crop with fodders species.
    6.  
      1. Occasioned/started.
      2. Poor.
      3. Damage/destruction.
      4. Expulsion/banning.
    7.  
      1. Man has chosen the goat for this blame.
      2. People are continually forcing livestock onto poorer areas.
      3. That although man blames the goat for the degradation of the environment he is actually the main culprit. 

QUESTION TWO

  1.  
    1. Taiyo visits Joseph’s bachelor house. She expresses her infatuation. Joseph feels infatuated too. She sobs uncontrollably
    2.  
      • Joseph is responsible. He has self-control aimed at preventing the duo from messing up.
      • He is patriotic. He chooses to take sides with the Nasila culture. He feels they should not break the norms
      • Taiyo is loving. She has strong feelings for Joseph.
      • Assertive. She is ready to offend sensibilities of Nasila culture for love.
      • Sacrificing. She is ready to risk herself for love.
    3. It brings out Taiyo’s interrogative nature. She skeptically questions the enslaving nature of Nasila culture. “I cannot accept culture that does not feed me.” She poses that culture should be beneficial.
    4. He accepts to be the contact man in the mission of rescuing Taiyo. He makes her captors drunk leading to her escape. The captors later kill him.
    5. Love. Taiyo and Joseph express their views towards love. She feels it should be let to grow while he feels culture should restrain love feelings.
      Culture. Their love relationship is held at ransom by culture that objects love between people of the same clan.
    6.  
      1. Fate
      2. Childish/ immature
      3. Grudgingly
      4. Fate
    7. Joseph says he is ready to face any eventuality that may arise out of love. Taiyo appreciates the new stance of Joseph. She sheds tears.

QUESTION THREE

  1.  
    1. A man is walking about the streets and is splashed with mud and diesel – smoke by a passing vehicle deliberately. The pedestrian is complaining by this act of arrogance/show off/forgetfulness of the other state of life earlier on.
    2.  
      1. Poverty strikes – poor and suffering due to lack of money.
      2. Can’t afford food/clothes/shoes or soap because of money scarcity.
      3. Suffering due to being pressed by the dictatorial nature the master bare legs – dirty with mud.
    3.  
      1. Muddy puddle/mud water – stagnant poverty/permanent state of suffering.
      2. Diesel – smoke – suffering state/irritating state.
      3. Parasite – despondency/oppressor/exploiter.
    4. Importance of, “exchanged a parasite for something were. But maybe a few years is too long a time.” Some hope of change. Yearning of better times to come/vengefulness.
    5. Condemning/accusing/cursing/loathing/abusive/dismissive.
      (Identification and explanation should be brought out.).

QUESTION FOUR

  1.  
    1.  
      1. happier
      2. richer
      3. worst
    2.  
      1. off
      2. among
    3.  
      1. Whoever wins will be given a prize.
      2. My favorite saying is that Goodness always conquers Eric.
    4.  
      1. They had an absurd political argument.
      2. She sold her comfortable, wooden house.
    5.  
      1. The canoe ends is tapering to make the craft glide through the marsh.
      2. The plants call bulrushes will provide both new and replacement coverings for summer lodges.
      3. The Kalispel women had followed this way of life for many years.
    6.  
      1. isn’t he?
      2. didn’t he?
      3. ,will we?/she we?
        (Without coma ½ mark)
        (Without ? no mark)
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