English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Sukellemo Joint Pre Mock Exams 2023

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

• Answer ALL questions

1. COMPREHENSION:
   Read the comprehension below and answer the questions that follow 20 marks
   
   Kenyan roads hold two things in equal measure: great promise and great disappointment. They begin with a promise, in this case, the construction. Everyone is excited about the possibilities that the road presents. If it happens to be a new road, commuters will talk about nothing else except how pleasantly things will change for them. Soon, the construction is completed, and people are so excited, some are even tempted to lie on the tarmac! Change does happen, value of property appreciates a hundred fold, businesses and farmers do better and the general outlook of that area changes.
   
   Three years down the road however, due to poor workmanship, cracks begin to appear, small ones at first, which become bigger day by day, and finally, they develop into the craters that we Kenyans know too well. Vehicles are damaged; dust returns with a vengeance and accidents increase, with them, permanent scars and loss of lives. Right in front of our eyes, what held great promise and hope to us, becomes a source of disappointment and anguish. Yet every single day, we ply the roads, going about our business in spite of the difficulties.
   
   Relationships behave much the same way. In every relationship, hope and promise are intricately intertwined with the potential for disappointment. And just like with the roads, we don’t give our relationships the nourishment they need to withstand the bad times. When it begins to crack, we allow the dust of the disappointment to block our view of the promise that the relationship still holds.
   Here are some thoughts to consider.
   
   First, just like roads, relationships are necessary in spite of their challenges. People come into the relationship with expectations, some realistic, some unrealistic and everything in between them. The background we come from inform those expectations to a great extent, and these are further reinforced by folktales and fantasies of romance, family, wealth and so on. When these expectations are not met, disappointments are bound to occur.
   
   Yet like the roads, relationships still hold great promise for happiness, health and wealth. Mark Gungor, the creator of the video, “Laugh your Way to a Better Marriage,” quotes research that says: Married people are happier, healthier and make more money on average than the singles, the challenges notwithstanding. I am of the opinion that human beings have not yet discovered any other source of companionship, love, friendship and pleasure that is greater than that which is found in relationships.
   
   Another thought is the permanent nature of the roads. Every time I visit my home town, am amazed that most of the roads are still there. I can actually direct someone to my home without the fear that the road will have disappeared. Generally, roads have a permanent nature.In the same way, relationships must be approached with a view of staying put, for better or for worse. This was the major plank in the traditional marriage in Africa, as well as a central tenet of the Christian tradition to which most Kenyans pledge allegiance. Unfortunately, these traditional deals of love, courtship, marriage and family have largely been discarded and without clear guidelines, relationships are likely to be a difficult proposition for anyone.
   
   The proliferation and acceptance of come-we-stay arrangements and other forms of non-committal type of unions is a challenge. This is because the roles that marriage plays in the society -- producing and nurturing of children to maturity, providing companionship and building wealth -- require a high level of permanency. The promise of relationships lies in commitment, and if approached from any other angle, relationships become unfulfilling.
   1. Explain why people look to the construction of a new road with optimism. 3 marks
   2. Identify one similarity between Kenyan roads and relationships. 2 marks
   3. What is the writer’s take on Mark Gungor’s position on relationships? 2 marks
   4. According to the passage, state why relationships should be permanent. 3 marks
   5. What is the writer’s attitude towards Kenya roads as revealed in the passage? 2 marks
   6. In note form, give the consequences of poor road workmanship. 5 marks
   7. “Everyone is excited about the possibilities that the road presents.”
      (Rewrite beginning: Everyone’s……………………………………) 1 mark
   8. Explain what the following word and phrase mean as used in the passage. 2 marks
      1. Proliferation ...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
      2. Pledge allegiance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Read the excerpt below from A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and then answer the questions that follow 25mks
   Nora: (shaking her head) You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.
   Helmer: Nora, what do I hear you saying?
   Nora: It is perfectly true, Torvald. When I was at home with papa, he told me his opinion about everything, and so I had the same opinions; and if I differed from him I concealed the fact, because he would not have like it. He called me his doll-child, and he played with me just as I used to play with my dolls. And when I came to live with you –
   Helmer: what sort of an expression is that to use about our marriage?
   Nora: (undisturbed) I mean that I was simply transferred from papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything according to your own taste, and so I got the same tastes as yours or else I pretended to, I am really not quite sure which – I think sometimes the one and sometimes the other. When I look back on it, it seems to me as if I had been living here like a poor woman – just from hand to mouth. I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life.
   Helmer: How unreasonable and how ungrateful you are, Nora! Have you not been happy here?
   Nora: No, I have never been happy . I thought I was, but, it has never really been so.
   Helmer: Not – not happy!
   Nora: No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been you doll-wife, just as at home I was papa’s doll-child; ad here the children have been my dolls. I thought it great fun when you played with me, just as they thought it great fun when I played with them. that is what our marriage has been, Torvald.
   Helmer: There is some truth in what you say – exaggerated and strained as your view of it is. But for the future it shall be different. Playtime shall be over, and lesson-time shall begin.
   Nora: Whose lessons? Mine, or the children’s?
   Helmer: Both yours and the children’s , my darling Nora.
   Nora: Alas, Torvald, you are not the man to educate me into being a proper wife for you.
   Helmer: And you can say that!
   Nora: And I – how am I fitted to bring up the children?
   Helmer: Nora!
   Nora: Didn't you say so yourself a little while ago — that you dare not trust me to bring them up?
   Helmer: In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that?
   Nora: Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is another task I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself – you are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now.
   Helmer: (springing up) What do you say?
   Nora: I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any longer.
   Helmer: Nora, Nora!
   Nora: I am going away from here now, at once. I am sure Christine will take me in for the night –
   
   Questions:
   1. Why is Nora shaking her head? 2mks
   2. Describe Helmers attitude towards Nora as brought out in this excerpt 2mks
   3. How is Helmer depicted in this excerpt? 2mks
   4. Explain two major themes brought out in this excerpt 4mks
   5. Describe the tone of Nora as evident in this passage 2mks
   6. Stating the effectiveness, explain one stylistic device employed in the excerpt 2mks
   7. Contrast Nora and Helmer’s views of happiness 4mks
   8. Explain two roles of Christine in this play? 4mks
   9. What happens immediately after this excerpt 3mks
3. ORAL LITERATURE 20 MARKS
   Read the following narrative and answer the questions after it.
   
   Story Teller: ‘I salute you the Old Men and Women of the Land.’
   Audience: ‘We salute you, too’
   Story Teller: ‘Is this where you reside?’
   Audience” ‘Yes, this is where we reside; it is where old age found us.’
   Story Teller: ‘Shall I tell you a story?’
   Audience: ‘O, yes.’
   Story Teller: ‘A good one or a bad one?’
   Audience: ‘A good one.’
   
   Once upon a time, there lived a boy called Kimera of the Angare clan. He was out hunting one day when he found a grove of mango trees. He went home and told his parents about it, who then told the clan elders and all the people moved to the grove so they could eat as many mangoes as they wanted.
   
   The Angare clan lived there for some years, but one day someone said the mango grove belonged to the Nohoho, the giant. When the grown-ups heard this, they were very frightened and did not pick any more fruits. They told the children that they must not eat the fruits any more, but the children did not take any notice. They liked mangoes and picked them when it was dark so no one could see them.
   
   One evening before the new moon, the children went to pick the fruits as usual. As they climbed up one of the trees, they heard a horrible voice shout: ‘Who are you? You have eaten the mangoes of my ancestors, you have done this for many years … for many days and nights. If you ever come here again …! Before the giant had finished his sentence, the children ran and ran as fast as their legs could take them. They ran back to their parents and told them about the giant. The parents did not believe the children’s story but warned them again not to pick the mangoes.
   
   For the next few days, the children kept away from the mango grove, but they soon got over their fright. They decided that they would visit the place at midday and pick some of the sweet fruits. ‘If we see the giant, we will kick him,’ they said. They then argued about who would kick the giant first. Some of the boys were frightened. But they all walked towards the trees, climbed up and picked as many mangoes as they could hold. Nothing happened and they climbed down again and again with the fruits.
   
   They looked at the fruits and they were all unripe or bad. Kimera, the grandson of the great Kimera who first told the clan to move to the mango grove said: ‘I am going to climb up again and pick some better fruits. This is no good.’
   
   “Yes, you go,’ said the other children. If the giant attacks you, we shall come to your help at once.’
   
   Kimera climbed up, but just as he put out his hand to pick a large mango, the huge giant Nohoho appeared! He was as big as an elephant and the whole body was covered with thick short hair. He had four eyes just under his forehead. His eyelids were like red flames and his eyes kept moving up and down or sideways.
   
   When Kimera saw this awful sight, he screamed. The giant hit him a terrible ‘whack’ on his left cheek. ‘Where are my helpers?’ Kimera angrily asked himself.
   
   Of course, as soon as the other children had heard the ‘whack’ they forgot to keep the promise to kick the giant. You know what happened then.
   
   Nohoho picked up Kimera in one hand and put him in a dirty purse which was tied around his waist. Kimera cried and cried, but the giant thought what a good meal he would be. The giant went home and cooked Kimera and ate him. Each year the ripe fruits fall on the ground, but who touches them? My story ends there.
                                                                               Nede! Nede!
   1. Classify this narrative. 2 marks
   2. Explain two aspects creating the effectiveness of dialogue in this narrative. 4 marks
   3. Explain one aspect that would bring out the difference if the narrative were performed before an audience rather than silently read. 2 marks
   4. With illustrations from the passage, describe one character trait of the following: 4 marks
      1. Kimera
      2. Kimera’s friends
   5. Explain any two main economic activities carried out in the community. 4 marks
   6. What is the moral lesson of this story? 2 marks
   7. If you set out to collect an oral literature material like the one above, explain two problems you would expect to encounter and how you would try to solve them. 4 marks
4. GRAMMAR (15MKS)
   1. She lost many marks in her examination because of __________________________ (pronounce). Use the correct form of the word in bracket.
   2. A good judge relies, to some degree, on his common sense. Rewrite to remove gender bias.
   3. Between _____________________ (you and me/you and I), who is more hardworking? Choose the correct option.
   4. The teacher gave us ____________ (few/ a few/ afew) foolscaps, hardly enough to complete the assignment that he had been given. Choose the correct form of word).
   5. She can sing. She can draw. Join the two sentences using a correlative conjunction.
   6. Amina exclaimed that the teacher would not come the next day. Rewrite into direct speech.
   7. The man came home. The wife left. Join the two, beginning with: No sooner…
   8. I prefer _________________ (to stand/standing) on my own to joining a group that I know to be wrong. Choose the correct form of the word in bracket.
   9. We visit my grandmother ___________ (in/at/on) Easter. Choose the correct option.
   10. Each of the students that __________ (was/were) punished came from the same stream. Choose the correct option.
   11. They followed all the steps carefully ___________________________ passing the test. (Supply a complex preposition)
   12. They are singing a new song. Rewrite into passive voice.
   13. I bought a______________________________________________ dress.
       Silk, wedding, beautiful, red. (Put the adjectives in their right order).
   14. This is a case of the kettle calling the jug black. Correct the idiomatic expression used in this sentence.
   15. I’m afraid I can no longer _______________________ such obnoxious behavior. (Supply the appropriate phrasal verb using the verb “put”).

MARKING SCHEME

1. COMPREHENSION                             20 marks
   1. Explain why people look to the construction of a new road with optimism.  3 marks
      • Renders availability of public transport
      • Value of property appreciation
      • General outlook of an area changes
        Business and farmers do better
        (Any 3 x 1 = 3 marks)
   2. Identify one similarity between Kenyan roads and relationships. 2 marks
      • There is hope, promise and potential for disappointment
      • Permanence – relationships be approached with a view of staying put for better or for worse
      • Necessity -  are necessary despite of their challenges
        (Any 1 point x 2 marks)
   3. What is the writer’s take on Mark Gungor’s position on relationships? 2 marks
      • Humans have not discovered any other source of companionship that is greater than that found in relationship.  X 2 marks
   4. According to the passage, state why relationships should be permanent. 3 marks
      • Should be permanent to enhance:
      • Providing and nurturing children to maturity 
      • Providing companionship
      • Building wealth
        (3 x 1 = 3 marks)
   5. What is the writer’s attitude towards Kenya roads as revealed in the passage? 2 marks
      • Contemptuous attitude – description of the roads shows dislike
      • Disapproving distaste –
      • Optimistic/hopeful – Seems to suggest that all is not lost despite the condition of the roads
        (1 mark Identification     1 mark illustration)
   6. In note form, give the consequences of poor road workmanship.               5 marks
      • Cracks appear and craters develop
      • Vehicles are damaged
      • Dust returns
      • Accidents increase
      • Permanent scars and loss of lives
        (1 x 5   - 5 marks)
   7. “Everyone is excited about the possibilities that the road presents.”
      (Rewrite beginning:  Everyone’s……………………………………) 1 mark
      • Everyone’s excitement is about the possibilities that the road presents.
   8. Explain what the following word and phrase mean as used in the passage. 2 marks
      1. Proliferation   -  Increase/Surge/ rise
      2. Pledge allegiance  -  Support/Subscribe to
2. EXCERPT 25marks
   Questions:
   1. Why is Nora shaking her head? 2mks
      • To refute/disagree √1mk with the claim/assertion by Helmer that he and her father really loved her more than anyone else in the world √1mk
   2. Describe Helmers attitude towards Nora as brought out in this excerpt 2mks
      • Helmer has a condescending/ superior/disdainful/patronizing/disrespectful √1mk attitude towards Nora.  This is evident in the way he addresses her, either in disbelief, anger or exclaiming. eg “And you can say that!” ; (springing up) “What do you say?”; “Nora, Nora!”√1mk
   3. How is Helmer depicted in this excerpt? 2mks
      • Helmer is depicted as kind “And you have always been so kind to me.”
      • He is shifty/inconsistent  “Didn’t you say so yourself a little while ago --”
      • He is ignorant/naive “No, I have never been happy.”
        Any other plausible answer based on this extract
        A trait (adjective) √1mk and its illustration √1mk
   4. Explain two major themes brought out in this excerpt 4mks
      • Ignorance/naivety  - Helmer does not know the true standing of their marriage
      • Emancipation -Nora has understood her true standing in the marriage and is ready to deal with the reality/situation “I must try and educate myself”
      • Conflict/misunderstanding - between Nora and Helmer, in relation to the state of their marriage and views of happiness “No, only merry”
        Any other plausible answer based on this extract
        Accept any two well-illustrated  answer 4mks
   5. Describe the tone of Nora as evident in this passage 2mks
      • Nora has a controlled/calm/composed/measured tone despite the fact she is speaking to very pertinent and emotive issue/ despite Helmers frequent outbursts “(Undisturbed) I mean I was simply transferred...”
   6. Stating the effectiveness, explain one stylistic device employed in the excerpt 2mks
      • Metaphor: Helmer and Nora’s home is said to be a playroom.  This clearly helps one get a clear mental picture of the inequality within this marriage, where one (Nora) is viewed as an object of pleasure by the other (Helmer).
   7. Contrast Nora and Helmer’s views of happiness as brought out in the excerpt 4mks
      • Nora views happiness as happiness only if she is treated as a person/individual with feelings/ opinions while Helmer views happiness as present as long as one’s material needs are taken care of. 
        Any other plausible answer but must have a connector/conjunction of contrast.
   8. Explain two roles of Christine in the play? (not tied to the excerpt) 4mks
      • Development of the plot - it is she who makes Nora reveal her secret, which is what propels the rising action of the story, (any other evidence)
      • Devepment of themes - confession, admit her past fault in the past and seeks reunion with Krogstad; tells Krogstad not to withdraw the letter to Nora so that she and Helmer can confront the issues in their life
      • Development of style - irony, when she says she has come to look for work and Dr Rank wonders whether work is the cure for overwork, which she earlier claimed to have
      • Developement of other character - we learn that Nora is not as naive as she appears because of her interaction with Christine, who makes her reveal her secret thus portraying her as knowledgeable even on financial matters
   9. What happens immediately after this excerpt 3mks
      • Helmer forbids her
      • Nora does not relent
      • she reports that she will go home next day
3. ORAL NARRATIVE 20 MARKS
   1. Classify this narrative.
      • It is an ogre/Monster narrative – Illustration:  Nohoho the giant/The old men were very frightened of the ogre/Mention his appearance/ His cruelty/Sadistic nature as evidenced. 2 MARKS
   2. Explain two aspects creating the effectiveness of dialogue in this narrative.  2 marks
      • Brings variety to the narrative/Breaks monotony/Makes the narrative dramatic/Makes the narrative interesting lively
   3. Explain two aspects that would bring out the difference if the narrative were performed before an audience rather than silently read.  4 marks
      • Audience participation would be enhanced
      • Tonal/Voice variation 
      • Use of gestures/imitation
        Any 2 aspects 1 mark Identification      1 mark illustration
   4. With illustrations from the passage, describe one character trait of the following: 4 marks
      1. Kimera   
         • Adventurous – goes hunting/discovers the mango grove
         • Brave/Courageous – Climbs the tree despite the danger from the ogre
         • Gullible – fails to see the danger of the ogre
      2. Kimera’s Friends
         • Treacherous/dishonest/insincere/unreliable -  they ran away and leave him when the ogre appears
         • Cowardly/Fearful -  They ran away from the ogre/they do not kick it
   5. Explain any two main economic activities carried out in the community. 2 marks
      • Hunting -  “He was out hunting one day 
      • Gathering – “ Moved  to the grove and collected many mangoes
        mark x 2 (Each mark must be illustrated to score)
   6. What is the moral lesson of this story? 2 marks
      • It pays to listen to instructions - Kimera and friends fail to listen to parents
      • Failure to listen to the warning of the ogre
        Any relevant lesson stated positively with illustration = 2 marks
        Lesson without illustration has no score
   7. If you set out to collect an oral literature material like the one above, explain two problems you would expect to encounter and how you would try to solve them.  4 marks
      Problems @ 1 mark each x 2
      Solution @ 1 mark each x 2
      • Language/Transcription/translation   ………….Have an interpreter/dubbin for storage for later study
      • Generation gap/age difference ……….Simple approach or appearance/be natural
      • Lack of involvement  …………………Participate/show interest
      • Lack of life situation …………….. visit real life situation for the collection of the oral narrative
      • Commercially minded artist/ Performer that must be paid ……………. appreciate
4. GRAMMAR  (15 MARKS)
   1. She lost many marks in her examination because of  _________PRONUNCIATION_______  (pronounce). Use the correct form of the word in bracket.
   2. A good judge relies, to some degree, on his common sense. Rewrite to remove gender bias. ____ A GOOD JUDGE RELIES, TO SOME DEGREE, ON HIS OR HER COMMON SENSE  (OR) GOOD JUDGES RELY, TO SOME DEGREE, ON THEIR COMMON SENSE.
      N.B ENSURE SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
   3. Between ____YOU AND ME_____ (you and me/you and I), who is more hardworking? Choose the correct option.
   4. The teacher gave us _____FEW_______ (few/ a few/ afew) foolscaps, hardly enough to complete the assignment that he had been given. Choose the correct form of word).
   5. She can sing. She can draw.  Join the two sentences using a correlative conjunction.
      SHE CAN NOT ONLY SING BUT ALSO DRAW.
      N.B.  SHE DOES NOT ONLY SING BUT ALSO DRAW NOT ALRIGHT BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS IS NOT SHE DOES SING______
   6. Amina exclaimed that the teacher would not come the next day.  Rewrite into direct speech.
      AMINA EXCLAIMED, “THE TEACHER WILL NOT COME TOMORROW!” 
   7. The man came home.  The wife left.  Join the two, beginning with: No sooner…
      NO SOONER HAD THE MAN COME THAN THE WIFE LEFT.
   8. I prefer __STANDING______ (to stand/standing) on my own to joining a group that I know to be wrong. Choose the correct form of the word in bracket.
   9. We visit my grandmother ___AT (SEASON)___ (in/at/on) Easter. Choose the correct option.
   10. Each of the students that ___WERE__ (was/were) punished came from the same stream. Choose the correct option.
       (THE VERB MUST AGREE WITH THE ANTECEDENT OF THAT, WHICH IS PLURAL IN FORM)
   11. They followed all the steps carefully _____WITH A VIEW TO________ passing the test. (Supply a complex preposition)
   12. They are singing a new song. Rewrite into passive voice.
       A NEW SONG IS BEING SUNG (BY THEM).
   13. I bought a__BEAUTIFUL, RED, SILK, WEDDING__ dress. Silk, wedding, beautiful, red. (Put the adjectives in their right order).
   14. This is a case of the kettle calling the jug black. Correct the idiomatic expression used in this sentence.
       THIS IS A CASE OF THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.
   15. I’m afraid I can no longer ___PUT UP WITH_______ such obnoxious behavior.  (Supply the appropriate phrasal verb using the verb “put”).