English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Arise and Shine Pre Mock Exams 2023

• Answer all questions in this paper.
• Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as indicted and no questions are missing.
• Candidates must answer the questions in English.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

At the start of this week, 1.3 million people had officially died on account of Covid-19 worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, another 55 million people had contracted the virus. It was a bitter-sweet week as far as efforts to battle the virus are concerned. On one hand was the great news of a second vaccine with a 95 per cent efficacy rate. We also saw leading capitals tighten travel, school ban and other containment measures as the second wave of the pandemic batters many regions.

Locally, the situation seems to mirror the global positions, albeit on a less scale, but the numbers of fatalities and infections are rising. We have lost 1,300 compatriots, with 73,000 more having encountered the virus. A casual glance on our neighbourhoods, social media and obituary pages back this, suggesting the official tally might be conservative due to unreported cases. The occasional infection of a public figure reminding usthat we are not out of the woods yet. Medics and scientist continue burning the midnight oil to understand Covid-19 better and its symptoms, or lack of them witnessed in different people.

Though clear patterns of symptoms in fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty and loss of taste and smell were identified early, the last few months have seen some patients report a wide range of unexplained signs like longer infection periods and mental challenges such as anxiety, memory problems even depression. Even more intriguing has been the asymptomatic cases and cases of certain people in a family contacting illness while others remain healthy. Add that to the fact that, Africa appears to suffer disproportionately lower rates of infection and mortality, its dilapidated health systems notwithstanding.

It is going to take time before someone can explain this incongruent picture. What is clear in the interim is that our world has dramatically changed, perhaps for the better. Traditionally, counties have spent colossal amounts of money building armies to deter global bullies. Now it appears potential threats to humanity must be re-assessed and budgets adjusted. It might be an unknown virus and not a nuclear bomb that will bring the world to its knees. The most secure nations are likely to be those with highly diversified risk registers and commensurate investment to build capacity to confront such.

The early travel bans and overflowing hospitals in the developed world was another rebuke to developing nations to priorities health. The fact that some regions have been affected more than others is another sobering lesson. With the 21st century having experienced its fair share of protectionist tendencies and inward-looking policies; the pandemic has highlighted the need for concerted effort to ensure no part of the globe is left behind in modernising is health systems. Who knows, a future pandemic, may see the less affected regions serving as refuge centres and provided manufacturing hubs for drugs.

Perhaps it is time o build longer bridges and not towing walls. The pandemic has shown the spotlight on the place and role of global information systems and co-operation among nations. The future will likely be more secure if pandemics and other threats are reported early and containment measures quickly activated Covid-19 has painfully reminded us of the dividend of tackling a problem early and at source, before it grows wings.

1. Why are the efforts to battle the virus bitter-sweet? (2 marks)
2. What measures were put in place to contain the 2nd wave of infection? (2 marks)
3. Explain these expressions as used in the passage; (2 marks)
   1. Not out of the woods yet
   2. Burning the midnight oil.
4. What are the symptoms of Covid-19. (3 marks)
5. Identify 2 instances of irony in the passage. (4 marks)
6.  In point form, summarise the lessons the pandemic has highlighted. (4 marks)
7. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage; (3 marks)
   • efficacy
   • Asymptomatic
   • Colossal

2. EXERPT (25 MARKS)

Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow

Mrs. Linde: I think I have the right to be.

Nora: I think so, too. But now, listen to this; I too have something to be proud and glad of.

Nora: Speak low. Suppose Torvald were to hear! He mustn’t on any account – no one in the  world must know, Christine, except you.

Mrs. Linde: But what is it?

Nora: Come here (pulls her down on the sofa beside her)

Now I will show you that I too have something to be proud and glad of. It was I who saved Torvald’s life

Mrs. Linde: ” saved”? how?

Nora: I told you about our trip to Italy. Torvald would never have recovered if he had not gone there-

Mrs. Linde: Yes, but your father gave you the necessary funds

Nora: (smiling) yes, that is what Torvald and all the others think, but-

Mrs. Linde: But –

Nora: Papa didn’t give us a shilling. It was I who procured the money,

Mrs. Linde: You? All that large sum?

Nora: Two hundred and fifty pounds. What do you think of that?

Mrs. Linde: But, Nora how could you possibly do it? Did you win a prize in the Lottery?

Nora: (contemptuously) In the Lottery? There would have been no credit in that.

Mrs. Linde: But where did you get it from, then?

Nora: (humming and smiling with an air of mystery)

Hm,hm! Aha!

Mrs. Linde: Because you couldn’t have borrowed it.

Mrs. Linde: No, a wife cannot borrow without her husband’s consent.

Nora: (tossing her head) Oh, if it is a wife who has any head for business – a wife who has the  wit of be a little bit clever, -

Mrs. Linde: I don’t understand it at all, Nora.

Nora: There is no need you should. I never said I had borrowed the money. I may have got it  some other way. (Lies back on the sofa) perhaps I got it from some other admirer. When anyone is as attractive as I am.

Mrs. Linde: You are a mad creature

Nora: Now you know you’re full of curiosity, Christine

Mrs. Linde: Listen to me, Nora dear, haven’t you been a little bit imprudent?

Nora: (Sits up straight) Is it imprudent to save your husband’s life?

Mrs. Linde: It seems to me imprudent, without his knowledge to –

Questions

1. What happened just before this excerpt? (4 marks)
2. Highlight two major themes that come out in the excerpt. (4 marks)
3. From this excerpt
   Identify and illustrate any one-character traits of (4 marks)
   1. Nora
   2. Mrs. Linde
4. Compare the life experience of both Nora and Mrs. Linde and comment on what it reveals about women in society. (4 marks)
5. Explain the effectiveness of dramatic irony in Nora’s revelation. (4 marks)
6. I think I have the right to be. (Add a question tag) (1 mark)
7. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
   1. Contemptuously
   2. Consent
   3. Imprudent

Q3. Read the narrative below and answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)

At the beginning of creation, Mwene Nyaga. Ngai, the creator and provider for all mankind called one of his servants Gikuyu. He said to him, “My son Gikuyu, I am going to give you your share of land. The land I am going to give you is full of ravines, rivers, valleys, forests and plenty of game for you to hunt for your food. The land is fertile and your children andyour children’s children will never go hungry if you tilt it well.

Gikuyu stood still with disbelief. Mwene Nyaga saw Gikuyu’s hesitation. He took him to his residence on top of the mountain of mystery, “kirinyanga” where He resided. From here, he commanded a good view of all his lands. He therefore, wanted Gikuyu to see for himself all the land he had been given. He showed him all the land and its beauty. He said, “My son, all this is yours.”. Then He sat back and watched Gikuyu’s happiness as he moved from place to place, trying to locate the boundaries to his land. But no matter how hard he looked, his land seemed to roll for miles and miles. Having inspected the panorama of his land, he quickly composed himself and ran to Mwene Nyaga’s feet and cried with happiness thanking Him for the great gift. He was sure that he would be happy ever after. But then, he felt a kindof loneliness and his happiness subsided. What would he do with all that land all by himself? Mwene Nyaga knew what was going on in Gikuyu’s mind. As he was leaving, Mene Nyaga called him back and pointed to him a spot far, far off in the middle of the country, where a it tree, Mukuyu, grew. He ordered Gikiyu to settle there and call this place; “Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga”. Whenever Gikuyuj was in need of Mwene Nyaga’s help in whatever way, he should offer sacrifice to Him at the fig tree. He should raise his hands towards Kiringaga, Mwene Nyaga’s residence, and state all his problems. Mwene Nyaga will definitely see him and come to his rescue. He also told him that he had given him a present, the most precious present in his life and that he would get he presents on his arrival home, his new home.

Gikuyu thanked Mwene Nyaga and being unable to contain is curiosity any longer, he hurried straight to Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga. To his surprise, seatedthere was a young beautiful woman whom he called Mumbi (Moulder or creator). They lived together as man and his wife and were blessed with nine daughters but no sons. The daughters were: Wachera, Wanjiku, Wairimu, Wambui, Wangari, Wanjiru, Wangui, Mwithaga and Waithera. Gikuyu needed an heir and his not having a son disturbed him. he then remembered Mwene Nyaga’s advice, “I’ll come to your rescue”.

He organized a sacrifice at the Mukuyu tree. He slaughtered a ram and a kid from his flock and poured their blood and fat on the trunk of a sacred tree. He went to his house and called Mumbe and their daughters. They roosted some meat and offered it to Mene Nyaga. They raised their hands towards Kiringaga and prayed, “Thaai thathaiya Ngai thaai………… “He later left and went home.

Mwene Nyaga quickly answered Gikuyu’s prayers. On the following morning Gikuyu went to the sacred tree and he couldn’t believe his eyes when he found seated near the tree, nine strong young men. He was overcome with joy and he looked up to the mountain and thanked Mwene Nyaga, his benefactor. He welcomed the nine young men and he took them to his home where he introduced them to his wife and daughters. Food was cooked for them and a after bathing and eating they went to sleep.

The next morning, the nine men woke up early in the morning havinghad a good night’s sleep. After the morning meal, Gikuyu called them outside to discuss marriage. He told them they would marry his daughters on one condition: they had to live with them in his land. By this time, the men had already made their choices. They were so fascinated by the daughter’s beauty and the father’s kindness that they agreed to his proposal. Gikuyu and Mumbi were overjoyed for they now had sons to inherit their vast lands. The daughters, on the other hand had already started to show their preference of the men. They were also happy when the men agreed to their father’s wish for, they knew they now had men to protect them and give them company.

Gikuyu did not wait long before making arrangements for his daughters’ wedding according to the Gikuyu customary laws. He did not ask for bride wealth from the young men for he knew they did not have any and in actual fact they were a blessing to him. They were, however, united der one name “Mbari ya Mumbi” which means Mumbi’s family group. This was in honour of their mother Mumbi.

As the years passed, Gikuyu and Mumbi become older and older and eventually the died. Before they died, Gikuyu called all his daughters and their husbands. He told them, “My children, as you can see, your mother and I are about to leave you but before we go, we would like to leave you wit these words. All the land and whatever else we possess is yours. Divide if equally among yourselves.

Remember that on finger cannot kill a louse”

With these words, Kikuyu and Mumbi breathed their last breath.

The nine families continued to live together but the number of their children and grandchildren were increasing. They become so many that it was impossible for the families to live together anymore. They called a meeting where they resolved that each family should call together all its children and grandchildren and live together as one clan (Muhiriga). The clans were to be called after the nine daughters of Gikuyu and Mumbi. This decision is the basis of the nine principal Gikuyu clans. They are Acheera, Atachiko, Airimo (or Agathigia), Ambui, Agari, Anjiru,Ethaga, and Aitherando. The nine clans lived in Gikuyu’s land but they occupied different parts of it.

Questions

1. Classify the above narrative fully. (2 marks)
2. Gikuyu received his gift with mixed feelings. Why? (4 marks)
3. Divine intervention is real” how true is this statement in light of what happens in the narrative. (3 marks)
4. Comment on the use of at least one feature of style in this narrative (2 marks)
5. Gikuyu thanked Mwene Nyaga and being unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he hurried straight to MukurwowaNyagathanga
   (Begin:
   Having………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(1 mark)
6. Give and illustrate at least two-character traits of Mwene Nyaga. (4 marks)
7. With illustrations, identify two themes evident from this tale. (4 marks)

Q. 4 GRAMMAR (15 MARKS)

1. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given (3 marks)
   1. if I were the president, I would ensure all the bandits were rounded up. (Begin ‘Were….)
   2. I like Nairobi more than Machakos (Use prefer)
   3. The army has rounded all the bandits (Rewrite in passive
2.  Use the correct form of the words in brackets. (3 marks)
   1. The rebels were subjected to …………………………………. (relent) bombarding by the loyal soldiers.
   2. The ………………………….(certain) of the petition outcome has made him very nervous.
   3. No single female candidate won the …………………………..seat in the recently conducted elections (Governor)
3. Replace the following phrasal verbs with one word (2 marks)
   1. Mosonik rarely had fare home because he was wasteful in spending
   2. Take care of the utensils, they are easily broken
4. Fill in the blanks spaces in each sentence with the most appropriate choices of word from those Provided (3 marks)
   1. Odongo introduced Apundo and ……………………………..(her/she) to his father
   2. Mrs. Swazuri sent two students ……………………………….(i/me) and John out of her class.
   3. We are better than ………………………..(they/them)
5. Complete the following sentences with the correct from of the verbs in bracket. (3 marks)
   1. A concerted effort from all stakeholders …………………………..needed for good parenting. (be)
   2. The tour ………………………the luggage amid protests (fling)
   3. The counselors have ………………….an extensive healing programme (Begin)
6. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Do not change the meaning of the sentence
   1. Taiyo was very beautiful and permuat could not help admiring her. (Begin so…..)

MARKING SCHEME

1. PASSAGE
   1. Because on one hand is the great news of the vaccine and on the other hand the death of many people as well as the big number of those who had contracted the virus.
   2.                 
      • Leading capitals tighten travels
      • School ban
      • Other containment measures
   3.                  
      1.        
         1. Not out of the woods yet – means that the world is not yet free from problems brought out by covid
         2. burning the mid night oil – working until late at night to understand covid
      2.            
         1. Fever
         2. Fatigue
         3. Breathing difficulties
         4. Loss of taste and smell
         5. Longer infection periods.
   4.                    
      • It’s ironical for Africa to suffer disproportionately lower rates of infection and morality despite its dilapidated health systems
      • It’s ironical that an unknown virus and not a nuclear bomb will bring the whole words to its knees.
   5.                  
      • Some regions have been affected more than others
      • The need for concerted effort to ensure no part of the globe is left behind in modernizing is health system.
      • Time to build longer bridges and not towering long
      • The place and the role of global information systems and co-operation.
   6.                
      1. Efficacy – effectiveness/having ability to produce wanted results
      2. Asymptomatic –Someone has a condition/disease but does not show the symptoms
      3. Colossal – Extremely large amount/huge.