English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Lanjet Mock Exams 2021/2022

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INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

  • Answer ALL the questions in this question paper.

QUESTION ONE: COMPREHENSION (20MARKS)
Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.

The insect is not a blind automation. There is a ray of conscious thought running through its whole life. This view will meet opposition: to some people, the insect is a machine without emotion; to others, it is just a shade over the mechanical, process of something called `discernment,’ but without the slightest gleam of reason.

Ants, however, show great intelligence as excavators. The ordinary plan of excavation is for ants to carry out earth and throw it outside the nest. There is nothing particular to note about it; all the ants engaged at the task behave in the same way. But one day I noticed a deviation. Some ants had made a nest on the side of a bank. The ejected earth ran down from it in a shoot, like a landslide on the face of a hill. The shoot was very steep and crumbling, and as each ant carried out its load, it slipped on the loose material and tumbled down to the bottom of the slope. The ants, however, refused to be defeated. After some days of slipping and falling, they managed to devise an ingenious plan for surmounting the serious difficulty. They assigned to one particular ant the duty of consolidating and hardening the ground. This ant set about collecting pebbles, which it found near the base of the shoot. These pebbles it carried up the shoot and then spread them out in the form of a platform at the very top; just outside the mouth of the nest.

This was tremendous labour for one ant. The carrying of the pebbles up the slippery slope was a task that lasted several days. It required the entire labourer’s strength, and caused it innumerable falls. It was interesting to see selection at work. The ant never took the first pebble that offered. Several were examined, picked up and tested, until one was found that fitted the job. Moreover, it did not place its pebbles in a haphazard way: it carefully found a suitable spot for fitting of each load. The final result was a platform of pebbles on which the excavators walked easily, and no more of them fell down the slope.

Can we deny intelligence to this? Is this the action of automation, a thing that works blindly like a machine? No. intelligence runs all through the act. There is divergence from the accustomed habits; there is choice in the selection of pebbles; there is design in the making of the platform; there is the end in view, and one very much to the advantage of the ants. It was not instinct but reason at work.

I can no more deny intelligence to this ant than I can to a man who builds a parapet to prevent people from tumbling down a hill.

Questions

  1. Why does the writer believe that the insect is not a blind automation? (2marks)
  2. Identify and illustrate the figure of speech used in the second paragraph. (2marks)
  3. How did the ants overcome the problem of tumbling down the slope? (2marks)
  4. State how this problem was solved. (3marks)
  5. Make notes on the procedure followed by the particular ant in making the platform. (6marks)
  6. Why was there a divergence from accustomed actions of the ant? (2marks)
  7. Explain the meaning of the following as used in the passage (3marks)
    1. Automation - ……………………………………………………………………
    2. Surmounting - ………………………………………………………………….
    3. Parapet : ……………………………………………………………………….

QUESTION TWO: EXCERPT (25 MARKS)
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.

Mrs Linde: (smiles sadly and strokes her hair) It sometimes happens, Nora.
Nora: So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children. You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.
Mrs Linde: No, no; I want to hear about you.
Nora: No, you must begin. I mustn’t be selfish today; today I must only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we have just had a great piece of good luck?
Mrs Linde: No, what is it?
Nora: Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the bank!
Mrs Linde: Your husband? What good luck!
Nora: Yes, tremendous! A barrister’s profession is such an uncertain thing, especially if he won’t undertake unsavoury cases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the bank at the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we can live quite differently- we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have an anxiety, won’t it?
Mrs. Linde: Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs.
Nora: No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money.
Mrs. Linde: (smiling) Nora, Nora, haven’t you learned sense yet? In our school days you were a great spendthrift.
Nora: (laughing) Yes, that is what Torvald says now (Wags her finger at her.) But “Nora, Nora” is not so silly as you think. We have not been in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work.
Mrs. Linde: You too?
Nora: Yes; odds and ends, needlework, crotchet-work, embroidery, and that kind of thing. (dropping her voice) And other things as well. You know Torvald left his office when we were married? There was no prospect of promotion there, and he had to try and earn more than before. But during the first year he overworked himself dreadfully. You see he had to make money every way he could, and he worked early and late; but he couldn’t stand it, and fell dreadfully ill, and the doctors said it was necessary for him to go south.
Mrs. Linde: You spent a whole year in Italy, didn’t you?

Questions

  1. What does Mrs. Linde refer to when she says, “It sometimes happens, Nora”? (3marks)
  2. Identify any two stylistic devices used in the extract and state their effectiveness. (4 marks)
  3. But ‘Nora, Nora’ is not so silly as you think. What proves that Nora has not been as silly as she was thought to be by many? Refer to elsewhere in the novel. (3 marks)
  4. Identify and explain the dominant theme in the excerpt. (2 marks)
  5. What character traits of Nora and Mrs. Linde are brought out in the excerpt? (4 marks)
  6. Why did the family spend a whole year in Italy? (3 marks)
  7. So, you are quite alone. (Add a question tag) (1 mark)
  8. What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt? (3 marks)
    1. Barrister: ………………………………………………..
    2. Spendthrift: …………………………………………….
    3. Unsavoury: ……………………………………………..
  9. What happens after the excerpt? (2 marks)

QUESTION THREE: ORAL POETRY (20MKS)
Read the following oral song and answer the questions that follow:

The Nzaiko of the Akamba
Are you really circumcising or not?
That I may enter into this home
Mother Mailu, Mailu, Mailu
Mother of child, come out
Annoit me, annoit me down to my feet before I go.
The circumcision man is busy now
The reason why, I don’t know
I am fence, I protect youth
Mother of child
You better respond to me
Rather than keeping quiet
Why are you annoyed?
Are you annoyed?
Are you annoyed by my visit?
I had better examine
A gourd is inside
I had better examine.
A goat is inside
I had better examine.

Questions

  1. Briefly explain what the oral song is about. (3mks)
  2. What aspects of society are brought out in the poem? (2mks)
  3. What evidence of circumcision ceremony is there? (1mk)
  4. Identify and illustrate any three aspects of style used in the song? (6mks)
  5. Why do you think the mother of child was annoyed? (2mks)
  6. Identify and illustrate two voices in the song? (4mks)
  7. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the song. (2mks)
    1. Down to my feet
    2. I am fence, I protect youth

QUESTION 4: GRAMMAR (15MKS)

  1. Fill in the blank spaces in each of the following sentences with the most appropriate preposition. (3MKS)
    1. She will preside ......................... the function.
    2. The exercise was conducted in accordance .............................. the regulations.
    3. He took.......................... his clothes and dived into the pool.
  2. For each of the following sentences replace the underlined phrasal verb with one word that has the same meaning. (3mks)
    1. Amina was commended for keeping up her good performance.
    2. Students are advised to keep out of trouble.
    3. It’s not good to walk out on one’s family.
  3. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Do not change the meaning. (3 marks)
    1. Should he see you, he would be surprised. (Begin: Were ...)
    2. He awoke. He found the house on fire. (Join into a single sentence using a preposition)
    3. I will hear the music. (Begin. The music . . . .)
  4. Supply the correct form of the verb in the following sentences. (3 marks)
    1. All but my father ………………………………………… arrived (has/have).
    2. Both cats …………………………………….. chasing birds (enjoy/enjoys).
    3. The Minister as well as the Permanent Secretary and the Speaker of the House …………………present (was/were).
  5. Place the adverbs given in their natural position and order (3mks)
    1. My telephone rang fifteen times last night. (almost)
    2. I wanted to make an appearance. (merely)
    3. The performance was fantastic. (absolutely)


MARKING SCHEME

  1. Comprehension
    1. There is a ray of conscious thought√ 1 running through its whole life.√ 1
    2. Simile√ l — The ejected earth ran down from it in a shoot, like a landslide on the face of a hill.√ 1
    3. They assigned one particular ant the duty of consolidating√ 1 and hardening the ground. √1
    4. The ant carried pebbles up the shoot√ 1 and spread them out in the form of a platform√ l just outside the mouth of the nest.√ l
    5.  
      • It never took the first pebble that offered√ la
      • Several pebbles were examined√ lb
      • These were picked up and tested√ lc
      • Until the one that fitted the job was found√ ld
      • It did not place its pebbles in a haphazard way√ le
      • It carefully found a suitable spot for fitting each load √ 1f (Any 6 x 1 mark = 6)
    6. There is selection in the choice of pebbles√ 1mk and there was design in the making of the platform. √ 1mk
    7. Expressions
      1. Automation — use of machines to do work
      2. Surmounting — overcoming/solving
      3. Parapet — a low wall at the edge of a roof/bridge
  2. EXCERPT
    1. What does Mrs. Linde refer to when she says, “It sometimes happens, Nora”? (3 marks)
      • She is referring to her suffering. Her husband died and left her nothing. She does not have any children, sorrow, or grief to live upon.
    2. Identify any two stylistic devices used in the extract and state their effectiveness. (4 marks)
      • Flashback - “You know Torvald left his office when we were … and the doctors said it was necessary for him to go south.” The flashback has been used to enhance the plot. It also shows the character trait of Helmer as hardworking.
      • Symbolism “New Year” is a symbol of change. Torvald will get a job promotion hence more money. Money is a symbol of power/ authority. It enhances the theme of money and power and the theme of change.
        (Award ½ mark for identification, ½ mark for illustration and 1 mark for stating the effectiveness)
    3. But ‘Nora, Nora’ is not so silly as you think. What proves that Nora has not been as silly as she was thought to be by many? Refer to elsewhere in the novel. (3 marks)
      • Nora went against societal norms and acquired a loan in order to help Helmer recuperate in Italy. She works and comes up with ways of repaying the debt she owes Krogstad. She sees the selfishness of Helmer when he fails to defend her and decides to leave her home- something that is totally unexpected of her and women in general. (Award any other valid point)
    4. Identify and explain the dominant theme in the excerpt. (2 marks)
      • Money and work - Nora mentions about Tovald’s job promotion from a barrister to a bank manager. He will now have lots of money. She also tells Mrs. Linde of how Torvald overworked himself and became ill. When Christine calls Nora a spendthrift, Nora says she has not been in a position to waste money either and they both had to work.
    5. What character traits of Nora and Mrs. Linde are brought out in the excerpt? (4 marks)
      1. Nora
        • Spendthrift- “In our school days you were a great spendthrift.”
        • Hardworking- “We have both had to work.”
      2. Mrs Linde
        • Selfless- “No, no; I want to hear about you.”
        • Informed/Observant/knowledgeable- “In our school days you were a great spendthrift.” “You spent a whole year in Italy, didn’t you?”
          (one character trait for each character 2 marks)
    6. Why did the family spend a whole year in Italy? (3 marks)
      • The family spent a whole year in Italy because Helmer had fallen ill as a result of overworking himself. The doctors suggested to Nora that they had to go South in order for Helmer to recuperate.
    7. So, you are quite alone. (Add a question tag) (1 mark)
      • So, you are quite alone, aren’t you?
    8. What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt? (3 marks)
      1. Barrister A lawyer
      2. Spendthrift Someone who spends money carelessly/ wasteful
      3. Unsavoury Not respectable/ Disreputable/ Of questionable moral character
    9. What happens after the excerpt? (2 marks)
      • Nora tells Christine that the trip was hard for her since it was just after Ivar was born. It, however, saved Torvald’s life but it cost her a lot of money- 250 pounds.
  3.  
    1. Briefly explain what the oral song is about. (3mks)
      • It is about circumcision among the Akamba people. √? Demands made during circumcision times√? e.g the persona is asking to be anointed. Beliefs associated with circumcision√? e.g cannot enter the home, the persona believes he is a fence that protects the youth.
    2. What aspects of society are brought out in the poem? (2mks)
      • Circumcision among the men is done√?
      • Belief in superstition√?– the persona says he may not enter into the home if circumcision is going on.
    3. What evidence of circumcision ceremony is there? (1mk)
      • The circumcision man is busy.
      • The goat was inside
      • Persona requested to be anointed/blessed with fruits of circumcision.
        Accept any one point
    4. Identify and illustrate any three aspects of style used in the song? (6mks)
      • repetition – Mother of child, I had better examine,( emphasis and create rhythm)
      • Metaphor – I am fence, I protect youth ( show strength and courage)
      • Paradox – The reason why I don’t know.(create humour to lighten the situation which might be tense) ( should state plus the effectiveness)
      • Rhetorical question – Are you annoyed? -Are you really circumcising or not?
        Identification √1
        illustration √1
    5. Why do you think the mother of child was annoyed? (2mks)
      • The man who had come to eat and drink was exerting pressure on the mother of child. √1
      • He was also interfering with people’s affairs. √1
    6. Identify and illustrate two voices in the song? (4mks)
      • mother of the initiate – I had better examine the goat inside
      • A man who has come in the feast – doesn’t want enter it circumcision is going on
        Identification √1 illustration √1
    7. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the song. (2mks)
      1. Down to my feet - Allow me to enter
      2. I am fence, I protect youth - I am important in the circumcision.
  4.  
    1. Fill in the blank spaces in each of the following sentences with the most appropriatepreposition.
      1. She will preside over the function.
      2. The exercise was conducted in accordance with the regulations.
      3. He took off his clothes and dived into the pool.
    2. For each of the following sentences replace the underlined phrasal verb with one word that has the meaning. (3mks)
      1. Amina was commended for keeping up her good performance. (maintaining)
      2. Students are advised to keep out of trouble. (avoid)
      3. It’s not good to walk out on one’s family. (abandon)
    3.  
      1. Were he to see you, he would be surprised.
      2. He awoke to find the house on fire.
      3. The music will be heard by me. (1 mark each x 3 = 3 marks)
    4. Verb forms
      1. have
      2. enjoy
      3. were (1 mark each )
    5.  
      1. my telephone rang almost fifteen times last night.
      2. I merely wanted to make an appearance.
      3. The performance was absolutely fantastic.
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