English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Form 3 Term 2 Opener Exams 2023

• Answer all questions.

1. Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
   
   Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father. There was no barn to inherit. The story was told in Umuofia of how his father, Unoka, had gone to consult the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves to find out why he always had a miserable harvest.
   
   The Oracle was called Agbala, the people come from far and near to consult it. They came when misfortune dogged their steps or when they had a dispute with their neighbours. They came to discover what the future held for them or to consult the spirits of their departed fathers.
   
   The way into the shrine was a round hole at the side of a hill, just a little bigger than the round opening into a hen-house. Worshippers and those who came to seek knowledge from the god crawled on their belly through the hole and found themselves in a dark, endless space in the presence of Agbala. No one had ever beheld Agbala, except his priestess. But no one who had ever crawled into his awful shrine had come out without the fear of his power. His priestess stood by the sacred fire which she built in the heart of the cave and proclaimed the will of the god. The fire did not burn with a flame. The glowing logs only served to light up vaguely the dark figure of the priestess.
   
   Sometimes a man came to consult the spirit of his dead father or relative. It was said that when such a spirit appeared, the man saw it vaguely in the darkness, but never heard its voice. Some people even said that they had heard the spirits flying and flapping their wings against the roof of the cave.
   
   Many years ago when Okonkwo was still a boy, his father, Unoka, had gone to consult Agbala. The priestess in those days was a woman called Chika. She was full of the power of her god, and she was greatly feared. Unoka stood before her and began his story.
   
   Every year, he said sadly, ‘before I put any crop in the earth, I sacrifice a cock to Ani, the owner of all land. It is the law of our fathers. I also kill a cock at the shrine of Ifejioku, the god of yams.
   
   I clear the bush and set fire to it when it is dry. I sow the yams when the first rain has fallen, and stake them when the young tendrils appear. I weed    ’
   
   ‘Hold your peace!’ screamed the priestess, her voice terrible as it echoed through the dark void, ‘You have offended neither the gods nor your fathers. And when a man is at peace with his god and his ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm. You, Unoka, are known in all the clan for the weakness of your machete and your hoe. When your neighbours go out with their axe to cut down virgin forests, you sow your yams on exhausted farms that take no labour to clear. They cross seven rivers to make their farms; you stay at home and offer sacrifices to a reluctant soil. Go home and work like a man.
   
   Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi  or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess. When a man was afflicted with swelling in the stomach and the limbs he was not allowed to die in the house. He was carried to the Evil Forest and left there to die. There was the story of a very stubborn man who staggered back to his house and had to be carried again to the forest and tied to a tree. The sickness was an abomination to the earth, and so the victim could not be buried in her bowels. He died and rotted away above the earth, and was not given the first or the second burial. Such was Unoka’s fate. When they carried him away, he took with him his flute.
   
   With a father like Unoka, Okonkwo did not have the start in life that many young men had. He neither inherited a barn nor a title, nor even a young wife. But in spite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future. It was slow and painful. But he threw himself into it like one possessed. And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life and shameful death.
   
   There was a wealthy man in Okonkwo’s village who had three huge barns, nine wives and thirty children. His name was Nwakibie and he had taken the highest but one title that a man could take in the clan. It was for this man that Okonkwo worked to earn his first seed yams.
   
   He took a pot of palm-wine and a cock to Nwakibie. Two elderly neighbours were sent for, and Nwakibie’s two grown-up sons were also present in his obi. He presented a kola nut and an alligator pepper, which was passed round for all to see and then returned to him. He broke it, saying: ‘we shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harvest and happiness. You will have what is good for you and I will have what is good for me. Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.’
   
   After the kola nut had been eaten Okonkwo brought his palm-wine from the corner of the hut where it had been placed and stood it in the centre of the group. He addressed Nwakibie, calling him ‘Our father’.
   From Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
   
   QUESTIONS
   1. Why did Okonkwo not have a good start in life that many young men had? (2mks)
   2. What was one supposed to do before preparing the land for planting? (2mks)
   3. Identify the reasons as to why Umuofia people consulted the Oracle. (4mks)
   4. Unoka could not have good harvest. Explain. (3mks)
   5. How did Okonkwo earn his first seed yams? (1mk)
   6. Describe the character of Unoka and Okonkwo as brought out in the passage.  (4mks)
   7. Explain the meaning of the following words as use in the passage: (4mks)
      1. Ill-fated
      2. Abomination
      3. Afflicted
      4. Contemptible
2. Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
   
   He tried to look impassive without much success. He had too expressive a face. The woman he loved sat next to him in the fast moving minibus and studied his face. In a rather uncomfortable way she reminded him of his mother, Elizabeth, who had all-seeing eyes. But it was not of his mother that he thought at this particular moment; rather it was Mark. The last battle of wills he and his father had had was a lifetime ago and he had been miserably worsted. Now he was twenty-seven and he intended to win; still he had the healthy fear one has of a tired and tested adversary.
   
   He smiled at her and she smiled back, in calm understanding. The meeting with her family had gone so well. So well. They had welcomed him, made   him feel at home, fed him; laughed with him and at him good humouredly. All had been there with their spouses and children. In spite of their hard start in life, or may be because of it, they had all done very well and the oldest brother in fact owned a company and was very wealthy a tycoon, though one would never have guessed it by looking at his lean, brown, but friendly face as a handsome as a male model. Esther had done everything to make him feel at home and referred to him as a Muthoni brother –in-law. Kamau was the picture of dependable respectability – a man who knew money. Timothy, who was a little older than Aoro, was a typical good time boy (you can’t win them all – as Elizabeth would have said). He had a sleek looking sports car, and a stunning woman draped upon his arm, but his smile was open and friendly.
   
   Questions
   
   1. The woman he loved sat next to him …………….”
      1. Who is ‘the woman’? (1mk)
      2. Who is the ‘he’? (1mk)
      3. Where are they going and to do what? (2mks)
   2. From your knowledge of the text, describe the “battle of wills he and his father had.”   (4mks)
   3. “He had too expressive a face” Explain the meaning of this expression. (2mks)
   4. Identify and illustrate any two literary devices used in this excerpt. (4mks)
   5. They had welcomed him, made him feel at home and fed him. (change the sentence into the passive voice) (1mk)
   6. “In spite of their hard start in life ……….,” From your knowledge of the text, what does this statement imply about this family? (2mks)
   7. “They had welcomed him” Explain. (2mks)
   8. Explain the significance of this journey and how it impacts on the relationship between the two travellers. (3mks)
   9. Basing your answer on the passage, explain the meaning of:
      1. Tried and tested -
      2. Tycoon -
      3. Stunning -
3. Read the story below and then answer the questions that follow:
   
   Hare, the cleverest and funniest of all animals, was once in good terms with Elephant and Hippo. He knew very well that he was weaker than his mighty friends, yet oddly enough he was always seeking ways of showing that he was, in fact much stronger than them.
   
   While drinking at the lake shore one day, he met Hippo, “How are you brother, you big-for-nothing brute?” he began. “I’ve been waiting for  a long time to prove how much stronger than you I am. It’s time you recognized your betters and gave me the respect I deserve.”
   
   “What!” Hippo retorted, unable to believe his ears, “do you really dare to address me like that, you worthless little creature? Have you forgotten I’m the biggest and strongest of all the water creatures?’
   
   Hare’s reply was deliciously cool. “You may well be,” he said, I’m the strongest of all animals, wherever they live; and from now on you remember it. If you want to see how weak you are, let’s meet here in three days’ time and try a little tug-of-war. I promise you I will haul you clean out of the lake into the forest.” Such imprudence infuriated Hippo.
   
   “Stop this idle prattle” he retorted.”Go home and eat a few years. You will need to before you start dreaming of pulling me from the take.”
   
   And so they parted. Now as it happened, Hare, as yet, had no idea how he could outwit Hippo. He spent the remainder of the day deep in thought. By late afternoon the rather obvious idea of trying one end of the rope to a tree-trunk was taking root in mind when suddenly his friend Elephant appeared. His mind raced like the wind. “Hello, you long-eared oaf!” he shouted. Why on earth do you keep swinging your snout like that?”
   
   Elephant was not amused. He replied in a rather hurt tone.”What’s wrong with you today, Hare?” he asked. “Have you taken leave of your senses? You sound like someone who’s never slept a night in his grandfather’s house. Have you forgotten how to respect your elders?” Hare pretended that he had not heard, “You stump-footed fool!” he roared. Don’t talk such nonsense. It’s you who should recognize your betters and one day I’ll teach you how.”
   
   Elephant was growing weary. “Look I’m busy today,” he said, run along and find a child to play with-someone like yourself.”
   
   Hare pushed out his tiny chest, quite swollen with self-confidence. “All right” he showed, I’ll offer you a challenge. Come here in three days and I’ll prove I’m stronger than you by dragging that great canvass of yours out of the forest and into the lake. “And without more ado, he turned on his heels and bounced off into the forest.
   
   Three days later, hare took the longest rope he could find and ran to the shore to find Hippo. He gave his friend one end, saying, “Here, catch this and hold tight. Do nothing until you hear a horn blowing: then pull as hard as you can. “Taking the rope, Hippo sank back complacently into the water, his eyes twinkling merrily on the surface of the lake. The rope’s other end Hare carried to elephant who, reliable and punctual as ever, was waiting in the forest. Raising his voice to his huge friend, Hare shouted, “Hold this and stay put. Don’t pull until you hear a horn blowing. Now I’m off to drag you into the lake.”
   
   And away he sped, hiding himself in a clump of bushes where he enjoyed a clear view of both animals. In the forest, Elephant waited patiently; in the lake Hippo smiled to himself, convinced in his heart that it was all just a bad joke. Hare now blew his horn, and with a crashing of trees and wild cascading of water, the colossal beasts began their tug-of-war. Hour upon hour the struggle went on, forest and shore echoing to the noise of their furious grunting and trumpeting. At last seeing his friends reducing to complete exhaustion, Hare again blew the horn and told them to stop.
   
   Then quickly rolling in the dust, he ran down to the shore and addressed himself to Hippo. “Brother,” he began, “I hope you now realize your mistake. You see, I’m not only clever but remarkably strong as well. From now on perhaps you’ll respect me. They shook hands and parted. Hare leaving his friend to go to Elephant. “Well, you wouldn’t believe me,” he said, speaking boldly to Elephant, “Now you’ve learnt your lesson. You may be as big as a mountain, but basically you’re a weakling.” Puzzled and dumbfounded, Elephant shook his head, and after reluctantly shaking hands, lumbered away into the forest.
   
   Questions
   1. From the first paragraph, how can we tell that Hare was not contented with his state? (2mks)
   2. From the information in paragraph 5, explain Hippo’s attitude towards hare. (3mks)
   3. Rewrite the following sentence in your own words:
      “Now as it happened, Hare, as yet had no idea how he could outwit Hippo” (1mk)
   4. In about forty words, summarize Elephant’s feelings about Hare. (3mks)
   5. Both Hippo and Elephant do what Hare says. What does this prove? (3mks)
   6. Categorize this narrative. (2mks)
   7. Give a proverb to summarize this narrative. (2mks)
   8. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as they are used in the story:
      1. Imprudence - (1mk
      2. Taking root - (1mk)
      3. Lumbered - (1mk)
      4. Dumpfounded - (1mk)
4. Grammar
   1. Rewrite each of the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. (3mks)
      1. Aisha asked Tom to return her key the following day. (Rewrite in direct speech).
      2. The teacher asked them where they had been the previous Friday. (Rewrite in direct speech)
      3. It is a pleasant surprise to meet you again after all these years. (Rewrite beginning: What …………..
   2. Complete each of the sentences below with the correct auxiliary verb. (2mks)
      1. Each of the boys ………............................ given a present.
      2. Either Joyce or her daughters …………………………… coming.
   3. Briefly explain the difference in meaning between the following pairs of sentences. (4mks)
      1.  
         1. They collected all the money they needed.
         2. They needed all the money they collected.
      2.  
         1. Four of those students were admitted to the university.
         2. Those four students were admitted to the university.
   4. For each of the following sentences, provide the appropriate noun formed from the word ‘break’ to fill the blank space. (3mks)
      1. Scientists have been working hard to find a cure for HIV/AIDS without a major …..
      2. The ………………………………….. of their friendship was caused by unfaithfulness.
      3. The business has operated for quite some time but it is yet to reach the ……………………… point.
   5. For each of the following sentences use the correct form of the word in the brackets to fill in the blank space. (3mks)
      1. Once the sun has ………………………………….., I can’t sleep any more. (rise)
      2. For how long have you ………………………………. here ? (dwell)
      3. It is advisable that we ………………………………….. forgive those who wrong us. (condition)

MARKING SCHEME

QUESTION 1(NB:  ALL ANSWERS MUST BE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES)

1. he neither inherited a barn nor a title, nor even a young wife from his father(2mks)
   (Mention the three to score 2 mks).
2. Before preparing the land for planting, one had to sacrifice a cock to Ani, the owner of the land.(2mks)
3. Umuofia people consulted the oracle:
   1. When misfortune dogged their steps.(4mks
   2. When they had a dispute with their neighbours(1mk each.
   3. To discover what the future held for them.(1 x4mks)
   4. To consult the spirits of their departed fathers.
4. Unoka was known in all the clan for the weakness of his machete and hoe.
   When his neighbours go out with their axe to cut down virgin forests, he sow his yams on exhausted farms that take no labour to clear. They cross seven rivers to make their farms; He stayed at home and offered sacrifices to a reluctant soil.
5. Okonkwo earned his first seed yams when he worked for Nwakibie a wealthy man from his village.(1mk
6.  
   1. Unoka  -  Lazy – Harvested nothing.(2mks each
   2. Okonkwo  -  hardworking  - Had laid foundations of a prosperous future e.g working for Nwakibie to earn his first seed yams.
7.  
   1. Ill-fated - bad luck(4mks)
   2. Abomination - offense,disgust
   3. Afflicted - Suffering
   4. Contemptible - Disrespectiful

QUESTION 2

1.  
   1. The ‘woman’ is Wandia.(1mk
   2. The ‘he’ is Aoro(1mk
   3. They are going to Nakuru to visit Aoro’s parents.(2mks
2. Aoro had been suspended from school when he was in form one. His father could not entertain this. He asked him to go out and look for food    like everybody else who is not in school. By the time his father listened to his apology, he had not eaten for thirty six hours.
3. He had too expressive a face – this means that he could not hide his feelings at all.
4. Literary devices:
   • Flashback -  the reader is informed about Aoro’s meeting with Wandia’s family through flashback. The meeting is said to have gone so well.
   • Local dialect – the word ‘muthoni’ has been derived from the local language. It means in-law.
   • Vivid description – Timothy, Wandia’s brother, is described as a typical good time boy. He is said to have had a sleek looking car, a stunning woman draped upon his arm and an open and friendly smile.
     (Any two well illustrated)
5. He had been welcomed, made to feel at home and fed (by them).
6. They are said to have had a hard start in life because their father, who had been the family breadwinner, had died and their mother had to take care of all their needs, single handedly. She had to struggle for their education.(2mks
7. Aoro had got a warm welcome from Wandia’s family; they are said to have been all there to welcome him, feed him and make him feel at home.
8. Wandia is to meet Aoro’s parents. This meeting strengthens the relationship between Wandia and Aoro with Wandia getting to know more about Aoro’s family. The two later get married.
9. Meaning:
   1. Tried and tested - experienced
   2. Tycoon - a very rich person
   3. Stunning - Very attractive

QUESTION 3

1. We know that Hare is not contented because we are told he was always trying to show that he was stronger than his friends.
2. Hippo’s attitude towards Hare is contemptuous. To him, Hare’s pride is childish and laughable. That is why he says, “Go home and eat for a few years ……. Before you start dreaming.”
3. Up to that moment, Hare had no idea about what he would do to trick Hippo.
4. Elephant is shocked by Hare’s insolence. He cannot believe that such a little creature says it can outdo him. Elephant also feels that Hare is being foolish and disrespectful. Finally just like hippo, Elephant thinks Hare is being childish. (39 words)
5. By doing what Hare tells them, Hippo and Elephant prove that they are gullible. The fact that they believe that Hare is actually involved in the tug-of –war is surprising. It also proves that Hare is no match for them. He is cunning. It clearly shows that wits are mightier than physical strength.
6. A trickster narrative – Hare tricks the Hippo and the elephant.
7. Brains are mightier than brawn
8.  
   1. Imprudence  -  folly / senselessness
   2. Taking root   -  Becoming attractive and more established.
   3. Lumbered  -  Walked with difficulty.
   4. Dump founded  - So surprised

QUESTION 4

1.  
   1. “Tom, return my key tomorrow,” Aisha said.
        -“(Please, return my key tomorrow,” Aisha told Tom. (Please is optional).
   2. “Where were you last Friday?” the teacher asked them.
   3. What a pleasant surprise (it is) to meet you again after all these years!
2.  
   1. Is / was
   2. Are / were
3.  
   1.  
      1. They only collected money that was enough.
      2. They did not have an excess since all the money they collected was needed (by them).
   2.  
      1. There was a group of students but only four of them were admitted to the university.
      2. There were only four students and all the four students were admitted to the university.
4.  
   1. Breakthrough / break-through
   2. Breakup / break-up
   3. Breakeven / break-even
5.  
   1. risen
   2. Dwelt / dwelled
   3. Unconditionally