English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Form 4 Term 3 Opener Exams 2023

• Answer all the questions in this paper.

1. COMPREHENSION
   Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)
   On any given Sunday, all across the world, churches are likely to have more women in the pews than men.  Some estimates place the so-called “gender gap” in America at 61 percent women.  That means that every Sunday there are millions more women attending church than men.
   
   There are several theories put forward for why, comparatively, there are so few men attending church.  One theory is that the church’s teachings, emphasizing humility, holiness, and introspection, are seen by some men as “weak” or somehow less than masculine.  Men are looking to be challenged with a “bold” message of adventure, danger and aggressiveness.
   
   Finding the right activities to attract men is also a challenge for many churches.  Some congregations make an extra effort to provide time of fellowship and bonding for men by adding hunting expeditions, fishing trips, sports, etc., to their schedules.
   
   Another theory is that many churches, knowingly or unknowingly, create a feminine atmosphere with their décor.  Floral arrangements, pastel colors, frilly curtains, and pictures of passive, pastoral scenes make for a peaceful ambiance, but they tend to make men feel a disconnect.  Some churches attempt to appeal to masculine sensibilities by changing their décor to something edgier, darker, more robust and less nurturing.
   
   Another explanation for why there are so few men in church has to do with the stereotypical masculine ego.  Men are naturally self-reliant, headstrong, and proud, the theories go, and are therefore naturally more resistant to the diviner call to humility and submission.  The gospel confronts our need, and men are often averse to admitting neediness.
   
   There are other hypotheses, such as upbringing.  Most men were reared by fathers who did not attend church services and so have no role model for masculine involvement in a church.  There is the suggestion that men, the traditional breadwinners, are too busy working–or enjoying their day off work–to commit to a church.  And overly sentimental church music is sometimes mentioned as something that keeps men away, too.
   
   There might be a grain of truth in each of these theories, but none of them fully explain the gender gap in modern churches.  No one rejects church simply because of frilly curtains or a sappy song; there is most likely a deeper problem.
   
   Men avoid church for a variety of reasons, and church leaders should be aware of those possible reasons as they reach out to young men, husbands and fathers.  Men should be challenged to emulate the heroes of the faith-robust men such as Moses, Elijah and Peter.  The Christian life should be presented as the adventure it truly is.  And we should pray that God would increase the number of men who recognize their God-given responsibilities and who are unafraid to commit their talents and service to a local church.
   Questions 
   1. What percentage of church congregation in America is men according to the passage?(2 mks)
   2. That means that every Sunday there are millions more women attending church than men.
      Rewrite by replacing ‘more’ with ‘less’ (1 mk)
   3. Make a list of church’s teachings that men consider as weak    (3mks)
   4. Make notes on the reason for men’s absence in church.    (5 mks)
   5. Name three heroes men should emulate as they attend the church services as mentioned in the passage. (3 mks)
   6. State two ways in which more men can be encouraged to attend church services as discussed in the last paragraph of the passage. (2 mks)
   7. Write down the message that the writer of this passage is trying to pass across. (1 mk)
   8. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. (3 mks)
      1. Congregations…………………………………………………………………………
      2. Floral………………………………………………………………………………..   
      3. Hypotheses ………………………………………………………………………
2. Read the excerpt below and then answer the questions that follow. (25 marks)
   Krogstad:  (Controlling himself) Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fighting for my life.
   Nora: So it seems.
   Krogstad: It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed that weighs least with me in the  matter. There is another reason – well. I may as well tell you. My position is this. I  daresay you know, like everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion.
   Nora: I think I have heard something of kind.
   Krogstad: The matter never came into court; but every way seemed to be closed to me after that.  So i took to the business that you  know of. I had to do something; and, honestly, I don’t think I’ve been one of the worst. But now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me downstairs again into the mud.
   Nora: But you must believe me, Mr.Krogstad; It is not in my power to help you at all.
   Krogstad: Then it is because you haven’t the will; but I have means to compel you.
   Nora: You don’t mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you money?
   Krogstad: Hm! – Suppose I were to tell him?
   Nora: It would be perfectly infamous of you. (sobbing) To think of his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such ugly, clumsy way – that he should learn it from you! And it would put me in a horribly disagreeable position –
   Krogstad: Only disagreeable?
   Nora: (Impetuously) Well, do it, then! – and it will be the worse for you. My husband will see for himself a blackguard you are, and you certainly won’t keep your post then.
   Krogstad: I asked you if it was only disagreeable scene at home you were afraid of?
   Nora: If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with you.
   Krogstad: ( coming a step nearer) Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. Either you have a very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details.
   
   Questions:
   1. Briefly describe what happens before the excerpt . (3marks)
   2. Identify and illustrate major themes evident in the excerpt . (4 marks)
   3. In note form, state reasons why Krogstad says that he is prepared to fight for his small post in the bank as if he was fighting for his life. (5mks)
   4. How is Nora and Krogstad portrayed in the excerpt (4 marks)
   5. Discuss any style used in the excerpt and show it's effectiveness (3mks)
   6. I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details.(Add a question tag) (1 mark)
   7. From your knowledge of the text, explain how Nora found herself in this predicament (3mks)
   8. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
      1. Indiscretion ...............................................................................................................
      2. Compel .........................................................................................................................
3. POETRY
   Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.    (20MKS)
   THE TEARS OF A SLAVE
   
   Adieu, to my native shore,
   To toss on the boisterous wave;
   To enjoy my kindred no more,
   But to weep – the tears of a SLAVE!
   
   By the sons of freemen I’m borne,
   To the land of the free and the brave;
   From my wife and children I’m torn,
   To weep – the tears of a SLAVE!
   
   When, I think on mother and friends,
   And the joy their countenance gave;
   Ah! How my sad bosom it rends,
   While weeping – the tears of a SLAVE!
   
   Ah! Now, I must labour for gold,
   To pamper the pride of the knave;
   Ah! Now, I am shackled and sold
   To weep – the tears of a SLAVE!
   
   Keen sorrow so presses my heart,
   That often I sigh for my grave;
   While feeling the lash-cruel smart!
   And weeping – the tears of a SLAVE!
   
   Ye sons, of the free and wise,
   Your tender compassion I crave;
   Alas! can your bosoms despise
   The pitiful tears of a SLAVE!
   
   Can a land of Christians so pure!
   Let demons of slavery rave!
   Can the angel of mercy endure,
   The pitiless – tears of a SLAVE!
   
   Just heaven, to thee I appeal;
   Hast thou not the power to save?
   In mercy the power reveal,
   And dry – the sad tears of a SLAVE.
   
   By Africus-Freedom Journal.
   1. Who is the persona in the poem? (2marks)
   2. What is happening to the persona in the first stanza? (3 marks)
   3. Identify the dominant two styles used in the poem and state their effectiveness?     (4marks)
   4. What is the tone of the poem? (2marks)
   5. Who do you think is described as ‘knave’ in the fourth stanza? Give a reason for your answer. (2marks)
   6. In what way does the persona question religion? (2marks)
   7. What solution does the poet offer that will end slavery? (2marks)
   8. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem. (3marks)
      1. From my wife and children I’m torn.
      2. Keen sorrow so presses my heart.
      3. Your tender compassion I crave.
4. GRAMMAR (15 marks)
   1. Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions after each. (4marks)
      1. They were smoking in the room and forgot to close the door.
         (Begin: Smoking…)
      2. The president addressed the nation for three hours. He did not talk about war on graft. (Join into one sentence using however.)
      3. What you are doing cannot be acceptable in an ordered society. (Rewrite beginning: Under no circumstances…)
      4. The teachers were not in school. The principal was not in school. (Rewrite beginning: Neither the teachers …)
   2. Use the correct alternative to complete the sentences below (3 marks)
      1. Learning, our Principal told us, is a ………………………………. process. (continue)
      2. Due to the widespread ……………………………………in the country, youths are not enthusiastic about education. (employ)
      3. That yard is where ………………………………………..of old vehicles takes place. (maintain)
   3. Supply the correct preposition to complete the sentences given. (3marks)
      1. Property worth millions of shillings went up …………………….flames.
      2. The three boys shared the bread ……………………………..themselves.
      3. We should strive to live …………………………………our means.
   4.   Replace the phrasal verbs underlined in the sentences below with one word that means the same. (3marks)
      1. It is wrong to look down on students from other schools.
      2. Teachers should not give in to their students’ unreasonable demands.
      3. The delegates came up with ten rules to guide our response to globalization.
   5. Choose the correct alternative from the words given in brackets after each sentence. (2 marks)
      1. All matatus have hiked the  ............................................... (fair, fare)
      2. The boys left ........................................................ (their, there) books in the field.

MARKING SCHEME

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

1. What percentage of church congregation in America is men according to the passage?     (2 mks)
   • 39%
2. That means that every Sunday there are millions more women attending church than men.                           (1 mk)
   Rewrite by replacing ‘more’ with ‘less’
   • That means that every Sunday there are millions less men attending church than women
3. Make a list of church’s teachings that men consider as weak. (5 mks)
   • Humility
   • Holiness
   • Introspection
4. Make notes on the reason for men’s absence in church. (5 mks)
   • They consider church teaching as less masculine.
   • Feminine atmosphere.
   • Stereotypical masculine ego.
   • There is a challenge of finding the right activities to attract men.
   • Problem of upbringing.
5. Name three heroes men should emulate as they attend the church services as mentioned in the passage. (3 mks)
   • Moses, Elijah and Peter
6. State two ways in which more men can be encouraged to attend church services as discussed in the last paragraph of the passage. (2 mks)
   • Men should be challenged to emulate the heroes of the faith.
   • The Christian life should be presented as the adventure it truly is.
   • Praying that God would increase the number of men in the church.
7. Write down the message that the writer of this passage is trying to pass across. (1 mk)
   • There is a need for men to attend church service.
8. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. (3 mks)
   1. Congregations     - worshippers/church goers.
   2. Floral                 - flowery/flowered
   3. Hypotheses      - theories

QUESTRION 2: A Doll’s House Excerpt.

1.  
   • Krogstad tells Nora that Torvald should be approachable when it comes to his request.
   • Nora threatens to turn Krogstad out of the house.
   • She say she is no longer afraid of Krogstad.
2.  
   • Desperation – When Krogstadfights to retain his job at the bank. Nora is equally desperate to continue concealing her secret while Krogstad threatens to divulge everything.
   • Deception – To those they interact with, Krogstad and Nora portray a completely different character and conceal their true identities.
3. Points to consider
   • He has been guilty of an indiscretion
   • He was never taken to court but all ways were closed to him after that.
   • He, however, must cut himself free from that.
   • He must win back as much respect as possible for the sake of his sons.
   • The post in the bank is the first step up for him
   • Torvald is threatening to kick him out but he vows to resist.
4.  
   1. Krogstad:
      • Resilient and adamant – He would not give up his quest to retain his job.
      • Firm and decisive - He insists that Nora must plead his case with her husband.
   2. Nora:
      • Fearful of Krogstad revealing her secret to her husband, what she calls a horrible, disagreeable position
      • Nora: Defiant: She tells Krogstad that he can go ahead and let out her secret because it will be worse on him.
      • Optimistic/hopeful: She says her husband will pay off Krogstad.
5.  
   • Simile – Krogstad says he will fight for his. “small post at the bank as if he were fighting for my life”
   • Metaphor. “…and now your husband is going to kick me downstairs against into the mud”.
6. ,shall I?
7.  
   • Nora borrowed two hundred and fifty pounds when her husband was ill.
   • He gave her conditions which included drawing a bond as security.
   • Her father was to sign as security for the amount.
   • He left the date blank and the father was t insert it.
   • Unfortunately, the date inserted appears to be days after her father’s death that is, 2nd October yet he died on 29thSeptember.
8.  
   1. indiscretion - imprudence
   2. Compel - force

QUESTION 3: POETRY

1. The persona in the poem is a slave√ – ‘I am shackled and sold to weep the tears of a slave.’√
2. The persona is being taken away from his homeland √ , travelled through the sea √to work as a slave and in the process he is separated from his relatives√.
3. The dominant styles are:
   1. Rhyme – shore, more; wave, slave: borne, torn; brave, slave. It creates rhythm in the poem.
   2. Repetition – the phrase ‘tears of a slave’ has been repeated for emphasis.
      Any other relevant style
      (1 mark for identification and illustration. 1 mark for stating its effectiveness.)
4. Contemptuous √– the poet condemns slavery by highlighting the tribulations of the slaves √ e.g. the pain of being separated from their families.
5. The Knaves are the European/Colonialists√ because in the history of slavery, it is the European who came to Africa to capture slaves √.
6. He questions the beliefs of Christianity √ by asking why it has allowed the demons of slavery to rave √.
7. He appeals to God to save them from slavery √ – just heaven to thee I appeal, hast thou not the power to save? √
8.  
   1. I am separated from my wife and children.
   2. I am so sad.
   3. I am yearning for your care.

QUESTION 4: GRAMMAR

1.  
   1. Smoking in the room, they forgot to close the door.
   2. The president addressed the nation for three hours; however, he did not talk about war on graft.
   3. Under no circumstances can what you are doing be accepted in an ordered society.
   4. Neither the teachers nor the principal was in school.
2.  
   1. continuous
   2. unemployment
   3. maintenance
3.  
   1. in
   2. among
   3. within
4.  
   1. despise
   2. surrender/yield
   3. proposed/ suggested// created                 
5.  
   1. All matatus have hiked the fare.
   2. The boys left their books in the field.