Read the following conversation and then answer questions 1 to 4. 

Annette:  Hallo Ken, you look sad. What is wrong? 
Ken:        Hallo to Annette, I am not sad. My face is swollen.
Annette:  Ooh, I am sorry. What happened to your face? 
Ken:        I ate an egg cake at the party yesterday. My body swells everytime I cat eggs. Doctor says I have                                       allergies. 
Annette:  I would suggest you do not cat eggs again and take care of yourself. 
Ken:        Yes, I will be careful not to cat eggs again. 

1. What did Ken eat that made his face swell?
2. According to the conversation Ken has _____________________ that's why his body swells after taking eggs.
3. Who are the characters in the conversation?
   1. Doctor and mother.
   2. Ken and Annette.
   3. Allergies and eggs
   4. Ken and eggs
4. What should ken do to avoid swellings on his body?
   1. Eat many eggs.
   2. Go at partics many times
   3. Avoid cating eggs.
   4. Tell his mother he has eaten eggs. 

Read this passage carefully and answer questions 5 to 9 

One day during the holidays, my mother decided to send me to my grandmother's home. The news that I would spend a week at the farm came as a pleasant surprise. I was as happy as a lark.

My grandmother's home was not very far from our home. However, I had taken long to visit her since I had joined boarding school. I missed my grandmother. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I prepared myself as fast as lighting and set off for the journey. 

5. The writer was going to visit his _________________________
   1. uncle
   2. father
   3. aunt
   4. grandmother
6. Write one simile used in the passage.
7. The news that the writer would visit his grandmother came to him as a _______________________
   1. great prize.
   2. pleasant surprise.
   3. bad game.
   4. none of the above.
8. Complete this saying according to the passage. "Absence makes heart grow ___________________
   1. fonder.
   2. ponder.
   3. fatter.
   4. softer.
9. When did the writer visit his grandmother?
   1. on saturday.
   2. after school. 
   3. after church
   4. during the holiday.

Write the underlined words in short form 

10. My name is not sheep.
    1. My name's not sheep.
    2. My name is sheep.
    3. My name isn't sheep.
    4. My name's sheep.
11. I cannot eat grass.
    1. I can't eat grass.
    2. I can eat grass.
    3. I can not eat grass.
    4. I canot eat grass.

Use the correct demonstrative determiner to complete the sentence below. 

12. ___________________cup is very big.
    1. Those
    2. This
    3. Them
    4. Those 

Choose the correct verb to fill in the blanks. 

13. I will _____________________ the car, when I get a driving license.
    1. drive
    2. driving
    3. is driving
    4. drove
14. If you are late you will ___________________________ the train.
    1. missed
    2. mist
    3. miss
    4. missing 

Choose the correct plural of the underlined words. 

15. The old man has one wife.
    1. wifes
    2. wives
    3. wifves
    4. wifeves 

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. 

16.  
    1. didn't you hear the good news.
    2. Didn't you hear the good news.
    3. Didn't you hear the good news?
    4. didn't you hear the good news? 

Choose the most suitable answer to complete the sentences. 

17. "____________________set the table for dinner?" "yes you may"
    1. Can I
    2. May I 
    3. Might I
    4. Could I
18. That shop belongs to Mr. Isaac. It is __________________
    1. hers
    2. ours
    3. theirs
    4. his 

Fill in the blank spaces by choosing the correct answer from the choices given. 

Friends ___19___ very important people in our lives. They give ___20___ to us fully. Friends will always be there for you when you ___21___them. It is important to keep your ___22___  close to you. We should try hard to ___23___ our neighbours our ___24___ friends.  If your neighbours are ___25___ friends, they can let you know when ___26___is a problem ___27___ your place in your absence. That is why we must ___28___ peacefully with our friends as ___29___ as neighbours. ___30___ in a while, we share a meal. 

COMPOSITION 

Write an interesting composition about: 

MY BIRTHDAY PARTY 

MARKING SCHEME

1. Eating eggs, cake
2. Allergies
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. happy as a lark, fast as lightning
7. B
8. A
9. D
10. C
11. A
12. B
13. A
14. C
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. D
19. B
20. A
21. A
22. C
23. A
24. D
25. B
26. A
27. A
28. D
29. C
30. A

QUESTIONS

Complete the sentences using "has" or "have"

1. They  _____________spread their beds.
2. She _____________brushed her teeth.

Fill in the blank spaces with the correct form of the word in brackets.

3. Jane is the ________________class. (tall)
4. We bought the ____________________ dress from the shop. (pretty)
5. A hyena is ___________________than the lion.  (weak)

Write the plural form of the following nouns.

6. patch
7. pen
8. goose

Use "enough", or "a lot" or "a lot of" to complete the following sentences.

9. There are __________________ of ways to show respect.
10. We have with. ___________________ balls to play with.
11. I have ____________________food for today.

Fill in a or an in the following.

12. This is __________________ nice toy.
13. Give this child ____________________apple.
14. Who wants __________________banana?

Complete the following. Follow the example given.
Example.
She is a girl. They are girls.

15. He is calling you.
    _________________ are calling you.
16. Give her sweets.
    Give ___________________ sweets.

Read the passage below and answer the questions.

THE BOY AND THE LION

Once there was a boy who worked for a king. But the king was cruel to him. So the boy ran away. He met a big lion in the desert. The boy was afraid because the lion looked angry. The lion said, "I am angry because there is a thorn in my foot." So the boy sat down and pulled the thorn out. The boy and the lion became good friends.

One day the boy went back to the town. That day the cruel king went hunting in the desert and he caught the lion in a net. Then he saw the boy in the town and he caught him as well.

"I will punish you for running away. I will throw you to the lion," said the king. So the king threw the boy into the lion's den. But when the lion saw the boy, he lay down and smiled. The boy smiled too and put his arm around his friend. The king was amazed and he let the boy the lion go free.

17. Why did the boy ran away from the king? The
    
    1. boy worked for the king,
    2. boy was full of fear.
    3. king was cruel to the boy.
    4. king chased him away.
18. How did the boy help the lion?
    _________________________________________
19. How did the king punish the boy when he caught him?
    
    1. Taking him back to his house. 
    2. Throwing him to the lion's den.
    3. Taking him to prison.
    4. Beating him.
20. What did the lion do when he saw the boy?
    
    1. Swallowed him up.
    2. Growled at him.
    3. Closed his eyes and ignored him.
    4. Lay down and smiled.
21. What two things did the boy do to the lion in the den.
    __________________
22. ___________________
23. Why do you think the king let the boy and the lion go free?

Read the poem below and answer the questions.

MORNINGS
If I wake up before it's dawn
And Mum is still asleep,
I sneck barefoot across the hall
To the kitchen where Bud sleeps.

I shush him if he makes a sound,
I tell him not to bark,
And then we creep back to my bed
And snuggle in the dark.

Then I go back to sleep again
With Bud right by my toes,
And wake to find him licking me
And touch his cold, round nose.

And when Mum's clock is ringing loud,
And she yells out, "Wake up!!?
I put the tea-bags in the pot
Pour milk into our cups.

"Hello," she yawns, her work clothes on.
And Bud jumps up and down.
And she laughs and fusses him,
Calls him a great big clown.

I like it in the mornings
Sitting drinking tea,
Watching the sky change colour,
Just Mum and Bud and me.

24. What is the name of the dog in the poem?
25. Where did the dog usually sleep?
    
    1. Bedroom
    2. Kitchen
    3. Outside
    4. Dining room
26. Which word in verse 1 means "creep secretly"?
    
    1. I sneak barefoot.
    2. Still asleep.
    3. I wake up.
    4. Where bud sleeps.
27. Why do you think Bud is told not to bark or make a sound in verse 2? _________________________
28. Which of the following sentences is not true?
    
    1. The child put the teabags in the teapot.
    2. The child poured the boiling water into the teapot.
    3. The child poured milk into Mum's cup.
29. What made mum laugh and say that Bud was "a great big clown"? Bud
    
    1. sleeps in the kitchen.
    2. snuggles with the child in the dark.
    3. jumps up and down.
    4. drinks tea.
30. Why does the child like it in the morning?
    _________________________________________

COMPOSITION

Write an interesting composition about.

HOW I SPENT MY DECEMBER HOLIDAY

MARKING SCHEME

1. have
2. has
3. tallest
4. prettiest
5. weaker
6. patches
7. pens
8. geese
9. alot
10. enough/alot
11. enough
12. a
13. an
14. a
15. They
16. Them
17. C
18. He pulled the thorn out from lion foot.
19. B
20. D
21. The boy smiled.
22. Put his arm around his friend
23. The king was amazed
24. Bud
25. Kitchen(B)
26. I sneak barefoot (A)
27. Not to wake up mum
28. The child poured the boiling water (B)
29. Bud jumps up and down (C)
30. Sitting drinking tea, with mum and Bud.

QUESTIONS

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1 to 15. For each blank space choose the best answer from the choices
Painkillers, also __1__ as analgesics, are medications that are used to__2__pain. There are several different types of painkillers,__3__them nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and acetaminophen. __4__ painkillers can have both positive and negative effects __5__ the body. On the positive side, painkillers __6__ be very effective at __7__ rid of pain and __8__ quality of life. They also help to__9__ up recovery from injuries and surgeries; enabling them to __10__to their normal activities.
__11__, there are also negative effects associated__12__painkiller use. Some people may experience __13__ such as stomach upset, dizziness, or drowsiness. In addition, some painkillers, particularly opioids, can be addictive and can __14__ to dependence. It is important to use painkillers
only as__15__by a healthcare provider.

1.                      
   1. called
   2. referred
   3. known
   4. named
2.                    
   1. relieve
   2. release
   3. relive
   4. receive
3.                
   1. amid
   2. among
   3. like
   4. between
4.                      
   1. Taking 
   2. Drinking
   3. Buying
   4. Giving
5.                
   1. in
   2. with
   3. on
   4. to
6.              
   1. might
   2. can
   3. must 
   4. should
7.                  
   1. getting
   2. causing
   3. doing 
   4. making
8.                          
   1. improves
   2. improved
   3. improving
   4. improve
9.                
   1. quick
   2. speed
   3. quicken
   4. fasten
10.            
    1. go back
    2. return back
    3. get 
    4. enter
11.                  
    1. Moreover
    2. Although
    3. However
    4. Beside
12.                  
    1. of
    2. with
    3. at
    4. from
13.                  
    1. sickness
    2. sufferings
    3. signs
    4. side effects
14.                              
    1. get
    2. lead
    3. cause
    4. bring
15.                  
    1. given
    2. inscribed
    3. described
    4. prescribed 

In questions 16 and 17, choose the best alternative to complete the sentences

16. Mr Maina asked, "Don't you children think you ............................... be helping your mother with cleaning the house?"
    1. could
    2. should
    3. might
    4. ought
17. We wondered....................we were going to break the sad news of her pet's death.
    1. how
    2. that
    3. why
    4. if

In questions 18 to 20, choose the word that means the same as the underlined words.

18. Makona felt tired and drained of energy after a hard day's work.
    1. miserable
    2. sore
    3. crossed
    4. exhausted
19. These porters must be very strong to be able to handle our bags, trunks and suitcases.
    1. goods
    2. luggage
    3. cargoes
    4. equipment
20. Our monitor was chosen by voting by the pupils in our class.
    1. selected
    2. picked
    3. elected
    4. named

In questions 21 to 23. select the sentence that means the same as the one underlined. 

21. Immediately the guests arrived, the choir began singing.
    1. The guests arrived just as the choir began singing.
    2. Hardly had the guests arrived when the choir began singing.
    3. The guests arrived as soon as the choir began singing.
    4. No sooner had the guests arrived when the choir began singing.
22. We were reminded to complete our work by the teacher. The teacher
    1. was reminding us to complete our work.
    2. was reminded to complete our work.
    3. reminded us to complete our work.
    4. had reminded us to complete our work.
    5. "What's the time now?" Sheila asked Mwaz. Sheila asked Mwajuma what
    6. will be the time now.
    7. what is the time now.
    8. what the time was then.
    9. what was the time then.

In questions 24 and 25. choose the best alternative to complete the sentences.

24. A..........................................of savages attacked the caravan. 
    1. troop
    2. pack
    3. gang
    4. horde
25. ".............................................you study very hard you will miss a chance in secondary school," the counsellor told the pupils.
    1. Because
    2. Unless
    3. Although
    4. If

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 38,
As I sat at the bus station, waiting for my uncle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The sea of humanity swirled around me, a relentless tide of people rushing to their destinations. Touts shouted themselves hoarse, trying to lure passengers into their buses with promises of comfort and speed. But amidst the chaos, there was a darker undercurrent.
Some loners milled about with rugged appearance, blank stares and slack bodies, going to no particular destination. Hawkers preyed on the vulnerable passengers by dangling overpriced toys, cheap jewellery and candy. They frowned on those passengers who turned down a sale as they moved to the next. Everywhere I looked, there was a sense of desperation and greed. I couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was at play in this bus station.
As the minutes ticked by and my uncle failed to show, my anxiety grew. I had heard stories of pickpockets, thieves and con-artists preying on unsuspecting travellers especially if one looked gullible, confused or simply needy. I imagined myself falling prey to one of these predators, my bags and possessions stolen, my journey plans thwarted.
Just as I was about to give up hope, a figure approached me, his movements slow and deliberate. I quickly realized that he was one of the loners, his eyes fixed on my bags stacked beside me. My heart raced as he reached out for the handle of my luggage, his intentions clear.
Acting quickly, I stood up, blocking his path and confronting him. "What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and fear. The loner looked at me blankly for a moment, then turned and walked away without a word.
Relieved but still shaken, I knew that I had to be more vigilant. I clutched my bags tightly, knowing that I couldn't let my guard down in this chaotic and dangerous place. And just then, my uncle finally showed up. We got on the bus and embarked on our journey.
As we rode on, I couldn't help but reflect on the lessons that I had learnt from my first time at the bus station. I realized that while travelling can be exciting and full of adventure, it can also be dangerous and unpredictable. I vowed to always be vigilant and aware of my surroundings, especially in unfamiliar places like bus stations.
I also realized the importance of being prepared and having a plan. If my uncle had been on time, I wouldn't have been left alone at the bus station and I wouldn't have been put in a potentially dangerous situation. I was glad to have made it out of the bus station unscathed, but the incident would stay with me as a reminder of the importance of being cautious and staying safe while travelling. I was also grateful for the experience, it taught me valuable lesson that will stay with me for a long time.

26. We can conclude that the writer was uneasy because,
    1. he thought his uncle was lost.
    2. the people in the station threatened him.
    3. he was not used to such an environment.
    4. he was excitedly waiting for his uncle.
27. It is true to say that,
    1. the station was deserted.
    2. the station was packed with people.
    3. the station was full of touts.
    4. passengers in the station were confused.
28. The word 'lure' as used in the passage means the same as
    1. force.
    2. attract.
    3. cheat.
    4. direct.
29. The loners in the station were
    1. also waiting to travel.
    2. selling their wares to travellers.
    3. wandering around the station.
    4. shouting to fill the buses.
30. The opposite of the word 'frowned' as used in the passage is
    1. laughed.
    2. congratulated.
    3. glared.
    4. smiled.
31. The writer was wary of all the following predators except
    1. robbers.
    2. thieves.
    3. pickpockets.
    4. con artists.
32. Why do you think the loner moved towards the writer slowly and deliberately? He wanted
    1. help from the writer.
    2. to steal the luggage.
    3. to help carry the luggage.
    4. to trick the writer.
33. We can say the writer was 
    1. observant and courageous.
    2. keen and timid.
    3. anxious and gullible.
    4. brave and friendly.
34. What made the writer sure that the loner was up to no good? The
    1. writer already knew who he was.
    2. man reached for the writer's luggage.
    3. man was looking at the writer's luggage.
    4. writer suspected his appearance.
35. The writer almost lost his luggage because 
    1. he was not watchful enough.
    2. he was afraid of the people in the station. 
    3. his uncle did not come in time.
    4. he had kept his luggage carelessly.
36. The writer learnt all the following lessons. Which one didn't he?
    1. Travelling can be fun but dangerous.
    2. He needed to be aware of his surroundings in new places.
    3. When travelling, unexpected events can happen.
    4. He should not have travelled alone.
37. According to the writer, the uncle was late because
    1. he did not plan his time well.
    2. the bus he took was late.
    3. he took time to locate the writer. 
    4. he waited for the lone man to leave.
38. Which of the following proverbs best summarizes the story?
    1. A fool and his money are soon parted.
    2. Experience is the best teacher. 
    3. Blood is thicker than water.
    4. The days of a thief are numbered. 

Read the following passage and answer questions 39 to 50.
Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world, though the way it is celebrated can vary greatly from country to country and culture to culture. In many places, Christmas is a time of family gatherings, gift-giving, and religious observances. It is a time of joy and celebration, but it is also a time of reflection and contemplation.
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who celebrated a festival called Saturnalia in honour of the god Saturn. This festival was a time of partying and celebration, and it was marked by the exchange of gifts and the decoration of homes with greenery. Over time, the celebration of Saturnalia merged with other winter festivals and eventually evolved into the holiday we now know as Christmas.
The modern celebration of Christmas has its roots in the Christian tradition. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. In the centuries that followed, Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th. This celebration eventually spread to other parts of the world, and today, Christmas is celebrated by people of many different faiths and backgrounds.
One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree. The tradition of decorating a tree with lights and ornaments dates back to the 16th century in Germany. Today, Christmas trees can be found in homes, public squares, and shopping malls all around the world.
Another popular aspect of Christmas is gift-giving. The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is said to have originated with the three wise men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Today, people exchange gifts with family and friends as a way of expressing love and appreciation. In addition to gift-giving and the decoration of Christmas trees, there are many other traditions associated with Christmas. Many people sing carols and attend religious services, such as Christmas Eve mass. Others prepare special meals and delicacies, such as Christmas cookies and fruitcakes.
Despite the many differences in how Christmas is celebrated around the world, there are some For many people, Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the things common themes that run throughout the holiday. These include love, kindness, and a sense of community.
that bring us loy and happiness.
In conclusion, Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world in many different ways. While tee angins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient Rome and the Christian tradition, it has evolved over time to become a time of joy, celebration, and reflection for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Whether you celebrate Christmas with a tree, gifts, carols, or special meals, the holiday is a time to come together with loved ones and to celebrate the things that bring us joy and happiness.

39. According to the first paragraph, Christmas
    1. is celebrated everywhere in the world.
    2. is celebrated in a similar way everywhere.
    3. is just a time of family gathering only. 
    4. creates one culture from country to country.
40. Which of the following words is a synonym of "ancient"?
    1. Historic
    2. Outdated
    3. Famous
    4. Early
41. People celebrated Christmas in all of the following ways excemt by
    1. exchanging gifts with family and friends.
    2. attending cultural acvities.
    3. decorating Christmas trees.
    4. singing carols.
42. From where did the tradition of gift-giving at Christmas originate? From the
    1. three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus.
    2. ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.
    3. Christian tradition of celebrating the birth of Jesus.
    4. culture of people exchanging gifts.
43. Why do people exchange gifts at Christmas?
    1. To share with those who are needy. 
    2. Because Jesus was given gifts.
    3. It is part of the Christmas celebration.
    4. To express love and appreciation.
44. Which of the following words is a synonym of "tradition"?
    1. Practice
    2. Habit
    3. Custom
    4. Routine
45. What did the three wise men bring as gifts to the baby Jesus? Gifts of
    1. gold, frankincense and myrrh. 
    2. clothes, jewellery and toys.
    3. myrrh, gold and delicacies.
    4. money, decorations and jewellery.
46. One is likely to find decorated Christmas trees in all of the following places except in
    1. shopping malls.
    2. people's residences. 
    3. public parks.
    4. transport hubs.
47. It is true to say that Christmas is celebrated by
    1. only Christians.
    2. only people of certain cultures.
    3. only people of certain countries.
    4. people of many different faiths and backgrounds.
48. What is a common theme associated with Christmas?
    1. Show off and community. 
    2. Affection and kindness. 
    3. Love and communication.
    4. Thankfulness and strife.
49. The main purpose of Christmas is to come together with loved ones to
    1. celebrate the things that bring joy and happiness
    2. check on our neighbours and friends.
    3. mark the end of the year and celebrate achievements.
    4. mark the birth of Jesus Christ by attending mass.
50. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage above?
    1. The Origin of Christmas.
    2. The Birth of Jesus Christ.
    3. Christmas Celebrations.
    4. Ancient Festivals.

MARKING SCHEME

COMPOSITION

The following is the beginning of a story. Complet: it in your own words making it as interesting as possible.
My elder sister and I had been invited over to our aunt's home for the December holidays. We had already packed waiting for father to drive us there. After a long time, be came looking worried and informed us.................................................................................................................................................

Read the two passages below. They contain blank spaces numbered 1-15. For each blank space, choose the best of the four answers given:-

Donkeys are used for transport. Chickens __1__ us with both meat and eggs. Whether dead or __2__ cows are __3__
than most other animals.

Cows produce milk and pull ploughs. In order to get better crops, we use their dung as manure to __4__ the quality of the soil. In some places where there is no firewood, cowdung is used as __5__. When they __6__ killed, the hides are treated to make such articles as shoes, bags and belts. Their horns, __7__ which glue is made, are sometimes used as musical instruments. Can __8__ as productive as the cow?

My parents __9__  early ahead __10__ me. They wanted to __11__ in the wedding preparations. __12__ was cooking to be done. There was the __13__ family to be received. There were __14__ to be done. There was just __15__ much to be done before the wedding.

For questions 16 to 18, choose the word that LEAST fits in the group:-

16.  
    1. Sheep
    2. Cow
    3. Hen
    4. Goat
17.  
    1. Doctor
    2. Dentist
    3. Hospital
    4. Nurse
18.  
    1. Sowing
    2. Weeding
    3. Harvesting
    4. Farming

In questions 19-20, select the alternative that best completes the sentence correctly:-

19. My father asked me to give him __________________.
    
    1. some drinking clean water 
    2. some water, drinking clean
    3. cleaning drink some water
    4. some clean drinking water
20. The drug baron drives ____________________.
    1. an American yellow car
    2. a yellow car American
    3. a car yellow American
    4. a yellow American car

For questions 21-22. choose the correct arrangement of the sentences given to make a sensible paragraph:-

21.  
    1. Also by their smell
    2. Are they ripe?
    3. Would you like some fruit?
    4. Of course, you can tell by the colour
    5. Yes, please
       
       1. iii, i, ii, iv, v
       2. iii, v, ii, iv, i
       3. v, iv, ii, i, iii
       4. iii, v, ii, i, iv
22.  
    1. At harvest time
    2. Ongei helps them on the shamba
    3. They grow a lot of maize on it
    4. Ongei's parents have a big shamba
       1. i, iv, iii, ii
       2. ii, iii, iv, i
       3. iv, iii, i, ii
       4. iii, i, ii, iv

In questions 23 to 25, choose the correct alternative to fill the blank space in each of the sentences:-

23. The driver drove ___________________________
    1. recklessly
    2. reckless
    3. recklessness
    4. reckly
24. She was badly wounded and was rushed to hospital.
    
    1. speedy
    2. speedly
    3. speedily
    4. speeding
25. Would you mind fetching me some water? (If the response was positive, which answer was given?)
    
    1. Yes, I do
    2. Yes, I will
    3. No, I don't
    4. No, I won't

Read the passage below and answer questions 26-37:-

As he saw her to her door, he hoped this would be the day she would let him in. He wondered what she was hiding; they had been together five months and he still had not been in her house. What could be so bad that she wouldn't let him in. His imagination ran wild. May be she had a child she was hiding from him, may be it was another man, hell, may be she was running a prostitution ring from her apartment, he had run out of ideas and patience. As she turned the key, his heart beat accelerated. He had waited for this day for five months, but now he doesn't think he is ready to face what is on the other side of the door. How's that for an attempt at a suspense thriller?

It's actually no big mystery what is on the other side of the door. I'd hazard aguess that probably half of you have the same secrete behind one, if not all of your doors.

Ok, enough with the suspense, the other side of the door held a really messy house. I realised the revelation is rather disappointing. If you happen to be one of many women who can't keep a neat house, it should come as a relief to know there are lots of us.

From the time you are old enough to be advised and that is probably at five, you learn that cleanliness is next to godliness only for girls. Boys, well, boys will marry girls who will keep the house clean for them. Wondering how my earlier story ended? Well, years from now, when people ask me at what point I knew it was true love, I'll tell them it was. When I finally opened let him in to my house and he looked around, looked at me kissed me, rolled up his sleeves and helped me put away the laundry I had done three weeks earlier. If that's not true love, then I don't know what it is!

26. What had made the writer not to welcome her friend into her house?
    
    1. She had another man in it
    2. She was a prostitute
    3. Her house was untidy and messy
    4. She was hiding a child
27. Which word explains why the friend's heart accelerated when the door was being opened?
    
    1. Curiosity and anxiety
    2. Nostalgia
    3. Ignorance and cowardice
    4. Foolishness
28. Which relief do women who don't keep their houses neat have?
    
    1. Their husbands can help them
    2. They are not alone,
    3. They won't get married
    4. Their doors won't be opened
29. What made the writer think that her friend really loved her?
    
    1. He assisted with laundry work
    2. He insisted on the opening of the door.
    3. He rolled his sleeves
    4. He was remorseful
30. At what age is one likely to begin getting advised?
    
    1. At least five
    2. Utmost five
    3. Exactly five
    4. Approximately five
31. Cleanliness is next to godliness. This is known as a
    
    1. a simile
    2. an interjection
    3. a proverb
    4. a phrasal verb
32. Why do boys not care so much about cleanliness? 
    
    1. They would be married
    2. They are not taught at five
    3. They don't fear opening their houses
    4. Boys marry girls who keep houses clean
33. How many characters are mentioned in the story? 36. A well arranged house
    
    1. Two
    2. Three
    3. Four
    4. None
34. What word would replace the word apartment as used in the story
    1. Lodging
    2. Dormitory
    3. House
    4. Cottage
35. The writer concludes that
    
    1. all people have secrets behind their doors
    2. all men should assist with laundry
    3. true love endures weakness
    4. boys should not assist with laundry work
36. A well arranged house
    1. keeps visitors off
    2. can cause one to get embarrassed
    3. makes one to feel free at all times
    4. can be a place for hiding children
37. What would be the appropriate title for the story?
    
    1. Cleanliness
    2. The two friends 
    3. A dreadful experience
    4. A closed house

Read the passage below and answer questions 38-50:-

There is a saying that the family that eats together learns alot about each other. But in today's busy world, how many people actually find the time to sit down to a meal with their loved ones?

Take Debby for instance, who is so busy holding down a part time job, a business and evening classes that she has taught her three sons, aged between eight and fourteen, how to warm their own food when they feel hungry. As a result, family mealtimes are a rare thing.

It is unfortunate that there are parents who think eating out or giving children the freedom to eat anything, anywhere at an anytime is a sign of advancement. The truth is that eating together as a family exposes many hidden values, including presenting a golden opportunity to positively shape children's lives.

Studies have shown that eating together is very important for both children and their parents. Communal meals have some kind of power that fosters a positive course for a child's life.

Eating together helps build and sustain family bonds by indirectly communicating the importance of the family as a unit. This activity assures children that the family is there for them. It is also during communal meals that family traditions can be transmitted to the children. Indeed it gives each member of the family a sense of identity when everyone knows that things are done in a certain way in that particular family.

Eating together presents an opportunity to chat and be free with each other. Family members are able to share their experiences which could be challenging or exciting. Unlike family meetings, which are held after sometimes, meals provide a forum to air individual concerns on daily basis.

Although the chat at the dining table is relaxed and informal it helps children acquire appropriate communication and social skills. Children learn to take turns to express their feelings and listen.

They also learn to be mindful of others and to grow out of their inherent egocentrism as well as learn acceptable table etiquette.

At the same time parents get to understand their children better:- children brought up in families that eat together are better, able to talk to their parents even in other contexts. Younger children participate in older siblings and adult's conservation which boosts their confidence and self-esteem.

38. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
    1. Most families get together
    2. Most parents take their families out for meals 
    3. Most parents are too busy to take meals with their families
    4. Most families eat and learn together
39. Which of the following statements is untrue?
    1. When eating together, we share exciting experiences only
    2. Family traditions are taught at meal times 
    3. Eating together helps build and maintain family ties
    4. Eating together helps shape children's lives
40. Children who share meals with their parents are
    
    1. of acceptable etiquettes
    2. selfish
    3. free to discuss others problems
    4. shy to talk about themselves
41. The underlined words eating out can be replaced by
    
    1. taking meals in the field
    2. eating in schools
    3. having meals outside the house
    4. buying foods from restaurants and hotels
42. At the table the following virtues are taught except
    1. expressing feelings
    2. egocentrism
    3. sharing
    4. listening
43. The underlined word etiquette means
    
    1. good grooming
    2. care of utensils
    3. rules about behaviour
    4. respect for parents
44. How do young children benefit from eating together with family members?
    
    1. Learn to warm food when hungry
    2. Learn to conceal their feelings
    3. They gain confidence and self-esteem
    4. They teach others family traditions 
45. According to the passage giving children freedom to eat anything is
    
    1. a sign of illiteracy
    2. not a sign of modernisation
    3. a sign of wealth
    4. good parenting
46. Which of the following is untrue according to the passage?
    
    1. Eating together has many values
    2. Majority of families use meal times to share experiences of other people
    3. At meals times, parents and children chat freely
    4. Many parents are engaged in many activities that deny them meal times get-together
47. The meaning of the underlined word informal is
    
    1. official
    2. compulsory
    3. traditional
    4. not official
48. According to the passage, one way in which parents discover their chidren is
    
    1. having meals with them
    2. taking children for outings
    3. taking children to hospital
    4. enquiring from the teacher about them.
49. Research has shown that sharing meals by family members 
    1. is always possible as people are not busy.
    2. was not practised along time ago
    3. promotes positive development for a child
    4. promotes bonds between different families 
50. Which of the following is the BEST title for the passage?
    
    1. Table etiquette
    2. Importance of parents and children eating together
    3. Importance of passing family traditions to children
    4. Importance of sharing experiences which could be challenging or exciting

COMPOSITION

Below is the beginning of a composition. Continue and complete it making it as interesting as you can:-

It was the beginning of the TERM and everyone in our school looked jovial. Suddenly ........................

MARKING SCHEME

1. B
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. C
12. A
13. D
14. B
15. B
16. C
17. C
18. D
19. D
20. D
21. D
22. B
23. A
24. B
25. C
26. C
27. A
28. B
29. A
30. B
31. C
32. D
33. A
34. C
35. C
36. C
37. A
38. C
39. A
40. A
41. D
42. B
43. C
44. C
45. B
46. B
47. D
48. A
49. C
50. B

QUESTIONS

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1-15. For each blank space, choose the best alternative from the given choices
What do you think of__1__the word "games"__2__? Some of you think of a soccer __3__full of noise and movement __4__others may imagine determined men and women trying to hit the ball or __5__it__6__the net as in netball or volleyball. Others will think of excited__7__cheering their favourite teams. When you were a bit younger, __8__you would most likely __9__thought of games which do not require great skill like soccer.

__10__games are played according.__11__very simple rules. Sometimes, there__12__no rules at all and they keep on__13__new games as they play. Think of children playing "hide and__14__"Think of them playing mother, father__15__soldier or doctor.

1.                            
   1. where
   2. how
   3. whether
   4. when
2.                
   1. shouted
   2. called
   3. mentioned
   4. name
3.                      
   1. pitch
   2. team
   3. fans
   4. players
4.              
   1. which
   2. while
   3. because
   4. why
5.                    
   1. carry
   2. take
   3. shoot
   4. blow
6.                        
   1. under
   2. at
   3. on
   4. into
7.                  
   1. spectators
   2. congregation
   3. crowd
   4. gang
8.                    
   1. whichever
   2. however
   3. moreover
   4. besides
9.                  
   1. has
   2. have
   3. can
   4. could
10.              
    1. Childs
    2. Childrens'
    3. Children's
    4. Childs'
11.                          
    1. with
    2. on
    3. at
    4. to
12.                      
    1. can
    2. are
    3. is
    4. will
13.                        
    1. inventing
    2. investing
    3. building
    4. drawing
14.                          
    1. sought
    2. lock
    3. jump
    4. seek
15.                      
    1. ;
    2. ?
    3. ,
    4. . 

For questions 16-17, select the alternative that  best fills in the blank spaces

16. John hardly engages in risky practices.
    1. doesn't he
    2. does he
    3. isn't he
    4. hasn't he
17. They have not arrived yet.
    1. have they
    2. is it
    3. haven't they
    4. isn't it

For questions 18-20, choose the alternative that can best replace the underlined phrase

18. We decided to get on with our work after a thirty-minutes break.
    1. continue
    2. stop
    3. restart
    4. complete
19. They put down all that the teacher said.
    1. suggested
    2. wrote
    3. saw
    4. read
20. Everyone was looking forward to the sports day.
    1. hoping
    2. praying for
    3. expecting
    4. wishing

For questions 21-22, choose the alternative that is correctly punctuated

21.                                            
    1. "Everyone," the teacher started "Must work harder and smarter."
    2. Everyone the teacher started, "must work harder and smarter."
    3. "Everyone, "the teacher started," must work harder and smarter.
    4. "Everyone," the teacher started, "must work harder and smarter
22.                          
    1. The health officer advised, "Children's play things must always be sterilized to prevent infection."
    2. "The health officr advised," Children's play things must always be sterilized to prevent infection.
    3. The health officer advised "Children's play things must always be sterilized to prevent infection."
    4. The health officer advised, "children's play things must always be sterilized to prevent infection."

For questions 23-25, choose the alternative that means the opposite of the underlined word

23. They all came out of the room with gloomy faces.
    1. smiling
    2. sad
    3. angry
    4. unhappy
24. It is harmful to engage in drug abuse.
    1. dangerous
    2. beneficial
    3. risky
    4. damaging
25. The plaintiff arrived later for the hearing.
    1. complainant
    2. lawyer
    3. litigant
    4. defendant 

Read the passage below carefully and then answer questions 26-38
Old John was the owner of the biggest orchard in his part of the country. He was also the father of three strong, but lazy sons.
Old John looked after his fruit trees with very little help from his sons. Early every morning, while they were still in bed, the old man could be found working alone in the orchard. He dug the soil, cut away all the useless branches from the old trees, carefully tended the young trees and picked all the fruits at harvest time.
Every evening after his work, he would sit on a log and rest in the shade of his trees. Old John would gaze and gaze at the long rows of apple trees, pear trees and plum trees. Then he would sigh to think that soon he would be too old to give them all the care they need.
"Dear me!" He would say to himself. "It is a great pity. I wish my sons would work in the orchard. If they did, I am sure that the fruits would bring them a fortune."
There cone a time when John no longer worked among his fruit trees, for he took ill and died. Not long after his death, the sons met to hear what money their father had left to them. The reading of his will amazed them, because there was only this one sentence:
"The orchard, and the treasure which is there, I leave to my three sons." The sons stared at each other in astonishment, "Treasure!" they shouted. "Isn't that wonderful? We will be rich! Father has hidden his money in the orchard!"
"We must be very careful," said the eldest son. "If we tell others of this, they might steal the treasure from us."
"What shall we do?" asked the youngest son. "We must tell no one about the treasure," said the middle son. "We will dig and search in the orchard until we find it."
The sons then made their plans to find the treasure. They divided the orchard into three parts, and worked as they had never worked before.
They carefully dug the soil from one end of the orchard to the other. They even turned over the earth around the roots. Not an inch did they miss. Alas! After days, weeks and months of digging and searching, no treasure was found.
That year however, something which had never happened before, happened. There was so much fruit on the trees, that the branches were bent almost to the ground. The three sons were delighted. Never had they seen such a crop of apples, pears and plums.

26. Which of the following is incorrect according to the first paragraph?
    1. John's sons were lazy
    2. John owned a fruit farm
    3. John was employed in the biggest orchard in the area
    4. John's sons were strong
27. At what time could John be found working in his orchard?
    1. At dusk
    2. At dawn
    3. Mid-day
    4. Evening
28. The following activities were done by John in his orchardexcept
    1. picking fruits
    2. digging the soil
    3. pruning the trees
    4. logging and cutting trees
29. What did John do in the evening?
    1. Resting
    2. Harvesting
    3. Watering
    4. Logging
30. What made John to worry?
    1. His old age
    2. The future of his sons
    3. The great harvest in his farm
    4. Lack of rain in the area
31. John died of
    1. working hard in his orchard
    2. eating poisonous fruits
    3. illness
    4. snake bite
32. Which characters best describe John?
    1. Lazy and desperate
    2. Optimistic and cruel
    3. Clumsy and bright
    4. Hardworking and wise
33. The word stared can be replaced by all the following except
    1. gazed
    2. glanced
    3. peered
    4. glared
34. From the reaction the three sons had when they read their father's will, we can conclude that they were
    1. surprised
    2. sad
    3. worried
    4. thankful
35. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
    1. The sons found the treasure after digging for months
    2. Old John owned the smallest orchard in the country
    3. There was no hidden treasure in the orchard
    4. Old John did not care that his sons were lazy
36. Why do you think there was a lot of fruit the years that Old John died?
    1. Old John had taken good care of the trees
    2. The land was very fertile
    3. The three sons applied fertilizers to the trees
    4. The three sons tended the trees unknowingly
37. All the following can be grown in an orchard except
    1. guavas
    2. avocado
    3. cabbage
    4. oranges
38. Which of the following would be the most suitable title for this passge?
    1. The biggest orchard ever
    2. They found hidden treasure
    3. The death of Old John
    4. The transformation of three lazy sons 

Read the passage below carefully and then answer questions 39 -50
Like many youth, who travel to Nairobi in search of jobs once they complete secondary school, Mr. Derrick Ambuka made his journey to the city in 1986 to seek employment.
Luck was on his side. "I got hired at an engineering farm, Burns and Blair, which exclusively dealt with agricultural implement."
Hired as a sales person, Mr. Ambuka started honing his skills. "I would go for lessons in accounting to learn how to run a business since I wanted to become an employee, who is conversant with the job."
But five years into his job, he resigned and opened his entity, Derry's and Toro Company, a start- up that was set to compete with Burns and Blair.
"It was quite easy to run a business since I had prior knowledge," says the fifty-year-old, who also runs other enterprises in hospitality and construction industries.
However, it was in Nairobi that he noticed one peculiarity about Kenya's housing sector.
"I noticed that the wealthy lived in suburbs with a good environment, with plenty of trees, which is appealing unlike the areas where the low income earners resided. That is how I started loving trees," said the proprietor of Derry's Eco Cover, a company which sells seedlings.
His passion for the environment drove him to start the project in 2011 with one thousand seedlings. "The demand peaks ahead of the rainy seasons from April where we sell an average of fifty thousand seedlings in a good month, making about five thousand shillings.
"We have a client who bought twenty thousand seedlings from the county of Murang'a and asked us to plant them on her land," says Ambuka, who has close to a million seedlings in his nursery at any given time.
His company is now crossing borders. Already, he is processing an order to supply six thousand seedlings to a customer in Uganda.
"I always believe that trees are wealth because if you plant one, which costs just ten shillings, in the next ten years, the least you can earn from it is sixty thousand shillings.
Buyers stream from the counties and devolution has proved to be a blessing for him. "We have sold our products to Bungoma, Busia and Kisumu counties. We've received a tender to supply fifty thousand seedlings to the county government of Machakos."
To maintain quality, the entrepreneur buys certified seeds from Kenya Agricultural Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) for both exotic and indigenous tree species such as Jacaranda, Elgon teak, Grevelia, Neem and fruit trees, which he plants in black polythene bags.

39. Which of the following is not true according to the first paragraph?
    1. Many youth travel to the urban areas to look for jobs
    2. Many youth travel to Nairobi in search of jobs once they complete secondary school
    3. Derrick went to Nairobi to look for employment
    4. Derrick had been to Nairobi for more than a decade
40. The company that hired Derrick was dealing with 
    1. manufacturing of agricultural tools
    2. processing of agricultural products
    3. making engines
    4. manufacturing extinguishers
41. The word 'honing' has been underlined in the passage. It means
    1. to produce a horn
    2. to develop and improve
    3. to lessen
    4. to discourage something
42. What course did Ambuka take to become a competent employer?
    1. Engineering
    2. Shopkeeper
    3. Accounting
    4. Hospitality
43. Which company did Derrick open after his resignation?
    1. Burns and Blair Company
    2. Derry's Engineering Company
    3. Blair Agricultural Company
    4. Derry's and Toro Company
44. The company that Ambuka opened and the other one that had employed him earlier can be termed as
    1. partners
    2. friends
    3. arch-rivals
    4. foes
45. What made Derrick easily run his enterprise according to the passage?
    1. Accessibility to customers
    2. Running of other hospitality and construction industries
    3. Experience and prior knowledge
    4. Business venue in the city
46. What peculiarity did Derrick notice about Kenya's housing sector?
    1. The low income earners lived in the suburbs
    2. He was young to open more companies
    3. Trees thrived well only in the suburbs
    4. The rich lived in the suburbs with a good environment
47. According to the passage, what prompted Derrick to start a seedling project in 2011? 
    1. He lacked something to do after resignation
    2. His passion for the environment
    3. His love for money
    4. He did not have enough capital
48. What promoted the demand for seedlings in the month of April?
    1. It's a dry month
    2. It's a rainy season
    3. Many customers have a lot of money
    4. Many upcoming suburbs
49. The phrase 'His company is now crossing borders' as used in the passage means that
    1. he has opened other company branches in other countries
    2. the company has relocated to other countries
    3. the company has boundaries
    4. the company has no borders
50. The best proverb to summarize the passage would be
    1. Tit for tat is a fair game
    2. Hard work never goes unrewarded
    3. All that glitteres is not gold
    4. East or West, home is the best

MARKING SCHEME

The passage below contains blank spaces 1 - 15. Read and select the best alternative for each blank
space from the choices given.

Our lives are shaped by the countless decisions we      1         everyday. Every previous decision we made before this very moment shaped our life up till now. Right now, the decision to read this or not         2         shape your thinking one way or the other.

Last night I had to make a decision between      3        a party where I will meet my friends versus staying      4          home to finish up all the work that pilled up when I was sick past few days. Everyday, we make decisions. Big, small          5      seemingly insignificant decisions. These major decisons at different milestones of our         6       can change the way we live for the rest of our lives. But we       7            ignore the countless "insignificant" decisions we make daily that are slowly nudging us to a different path either away          8     closer to the dreams we       9        to achieve.

When we decide to watch some T.V-show, we are deciding to take time away from        10         else we dream of doing. May be its losing weight or learning a new language. You are taking time away from that goal when watching T.V. Life could change         11          if decision is made otherwise.

We make decisions based       12          the mental compasses that we have in our minds. They point us to a       13        direction. These compasses help in making decisions subconsciously. As a life-long learner, one won't think about not watching drama, before simply switching to an educational       14           without much thoughts. Some people live without a mental compass. They are like jellyfish in the ocean, floating to wherever the current takes 15 . Not a so good character to possess.

For questions 16 and 17, select the word which best completes the sentence given. 

16. All the interviewees answered the questions               during the interview.
    1.  anyhowly
    2. anyway
    3. in any case
    4. anyhow
17. The army soldiers sustained gunshot              in the battle field.
    1.  injuries
    2. damages
    3. wounds
    4. breakages

For questions 18 and 19, choose the alternative that can replace the underlined

18. Paulo broke down when he received news that an accident had occured.
    1. cried
    2. collapsed
    3. crashed
    4. cringed
19. She seldom talks to strangers happily when they meet.
    1.  never
    2.  rarely
    3. often
    4.  always.

In questions 20 and 21, choose the phrase which completes the given phrase appropriately.

20. The mechanic said that the bus won't start
    1. when a new battery is fixed
    2. until a new battery is fixed
    3.  for a new battery is fixed
    4. because a new battery is fixed.
21.  It would have been an interesting trip if
    1. we visited Mombasa
    2. we had visited Mombasa
    3. we will visit Mombasa
    4. we would visit Mombasa

For questions 22 and 23, fill the blank spaces with the correct answers.

22. Our teacher was upset because we had made progress in the project.
    1. a little
    2. much
    3. few
    4. little
23. Each candidate will be rewarded for posting               performance in the test.
    1. exemplary
    2. diminishing
    3. accomplishing
    4. culinary

For question 24, change the sentence below from active voice to passive voice.

24. Anita is going to sing a song
    1. A song was sung.
    2. Anita sang a song.
    3.  A song is being sung.
    4. A song is going to be sung.

For question 25, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

25.  
    1. 'Clean the house' Nelly told Martin.
    2. The teacher asked her where she had been?
    3. Kashu is born of a well-to-do family.
    4. What an expensive garment?

Read the passage below and answer questions 26-38.

Nothing seemed ordinary as an array of silent wind blew around. Fear crept into Mwendwa. Was this real or some sort of imagination? His heart nearly leapt into his mouth when he saw a silhouette of a huge man. A close-keen look proved to him that it was nothing but a tree. The thought of breaking into a run to save his dear life crossed his mind but his feet were too feeble to move even an inch. His squinted eyes toured from corner to corner trying to unravel the source of the weird noise. Flooded in fear, Mwendwa stammered an inaudible prayer; something which he had never done from time immemorial. Fervently, he tried calling all the spiritual beings he had ever heard about. However, one thing was crystal-clear, they had better and more 'serious' matters to attend to. In great fear, he broke into a run hoping against hope to atleast salvage his dear life. It was very evident that lady luck was without a doubt not on his side, probably the god's were against him. He quickly tiptoed on a loop and feli face flat. To rub salt to injury, he sustained a deep cut which made him to bleed heavily. As if that was not enough, he had ripped off his short. Writhing in pain, he leapt off the mucky ground. It was foolish to labour his mind over such a mere thing. Come what may, he had to put up a fight and see another day. Mwendwa knew he had not a single soul on his side not even the Almighty Deity after all his mischief; he had no one to depend on. He shed teardrops in bitterness and remorse mourning like he had never done before. If actions could be undone then pressing the 'undo' button would have been the best option but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. A look into the clear sky spelt doom for Mwendwa for he had been far away from home. His family members would be left in shock after learning where he was; no company or even a mobile phone. Nothing of such kind had ever happened to them, for any reason whatsoever.

The rustling of leaves under his feet brought him back to reality. He had to quickly formulate a plan which would see him escape his immediate predicaments. Through thick and thin he had to survive and live to tell the tale if anyone cared to listen. A continued run into an alien place was riddled with the option of no trace but remaining alive was a very slim chance. In the recent days, there had been numerous complains of how difficult it had become to put food on the table. Worse still was the opportunity for Mwendwa getting employed despite being a minor. Nobody would risk it. At the same time, hunger pangs were making his belly to feel uncomfortable. Not even some wild berries would be spotted in sight to quench his starving body. He made a big yawn before proceeding with his journey which only God knew where to. A clear stream of mountain waters gave Mwendwa a reason to believe that he would actually survive. He knelt down and drank to his fill straight from the stream. All this while he was so grateful to have come across it. He also opted to wash his dry face and dusty feet before marching on. The sun was setting fast when he came across a dusty, abandoned road. He clearly felt that his body was giving in pretty fast. Any nearby person would have helped him but there was none in sight.

With a thud, his mass of body collapsed right away on the side of the road. He was gone, not sure whether he would walk on earth again. After seemingly having had been in deep slumber, Mwendwa came to only to find a young lady with a stethoscope standing next to him. He smiled at her and she did smile back assuring him that he was alive and in the hospital. No family member was in sight but the nurse informed him that they had spent the previous night watching over him and that they had rushed back home before coming back during visiting hours. The nurse asked him to rest and that they would talk at a later time. Mwendwa obliged though not knowing how he would explain his disappearance as well as his action.

26. From the first paragraph, what actual thing had scared Mwendwa?
    1. A huge man.
    2. A tree.
    3. Blowing wind.
    4. His imagination. 
27. According to the passage, what had led to Mwendwa's short getting torn?
    1. He was bleeding profusely.
    2. He had fallen down.
    3. He was held by thorns.
    4. He was struggling to save his life.
28. Through thick and thin as used in the passage 
    1. very extensive moments
    2. extremely fatigued
    3. under all circumstances 
    4. really ordinary times.
29. From the passage, what would make it difficult  for Mwendwa to get employed?
    1. He was underage.
    2. He had never worked before.
    3. He was far away from home.
    4. He was extremely hungry.
30. The writer say that 'the clear sky spelt doom'.
    This means that
    1. he had given up
    2. he was being followed
    3. he prayed for help
    4. he was far from home.
31. How did Mwendwa feel after coming acrossthe clear stream?
    1. He was confused.
    2. He was shocked.
    3. He was remorseful.
    4. He was thankful.
32. Who did Mwendwa see first after regaining consciousness?
    1. Family members.
    2. Teacher.
    3. Nurse.
    4. Neighbour.
33. Why did Mwendwa feel that he was all by means that himself?
    1. Because of fear.
    2. Because of his misdeeds.
    3. Because he saw a huge man.
    4. Because of his imagination.
34. What tells that Mwendwa was not a prayerful boy?
    1. It was long before he prayed.
    2. The god's were busy.
    3. He believed in spiritual beings.
    4. He wasn't going to church.
35. The word 'minor' has been used in the passage 
    Which word means its opposite as used in the passage?
    1. Adult.
    2. Major.
    3. Important.
    4. Small.. 
36. Why was Mwendwa's body giving in very fast?
    1. He was thirsty.
    2. He was exhausted.
    3. He was starving.
    4. He had collapsed.
37. Which of the sentences below does not describe the place where Mwendwa was found lying?
    1. The road was lonely.
    2. The place was filled with dust.
    3. There was a nearby stream.
    4. There was a thud.
38. Which of the following would be the most suitable title for this passage?
    1. Mwendwa cheats death.
    2. Pride comes before a fall.
    3. The nurse who carried a second life.
    4. Life in the woods.

Read the passage below and answer questions 39 - 50.

As the largest of all land mammals, African elephants play an important role in balancing nature. They trample forests and dense grasslands, making room for smaller species to co-exist. Elephants also create water holes used by other wildlife as they dig dry riverbeds when rainfall is low. Herds travel over vast grasslands and they disperse seeds in their dung, which helps generate new green growth. But threats to this giant of the forest are numerous. African elephants are most threatened by the poaching crisis. A great number is killed every year for their tusks; the natural growth rate in most elephant populations has yet to overtake the rate of killings. Many elephants are also the victims of retaliatory attacks after they venture into human settlement and farm areas.. Meanwhile, climate change and human land use are degrading wild lands, breaking up essential elephant habitats and impending ancient migratory corridors. With the growth of commercial agriculture and infrastructure development, as well as extractive industry across the continent, the future of this species is at risk.

To reserve the drastic decline and secure natural habitats, a deliberate effort to protect the ecosystem is needed. Conservation work should extend across a range of states, including Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Identified priority landscapes- some spanning thousands of kilometres across countries are under watch. Provision of wildlife rangers and community scouts with the skills and equipment is needed to prevent the illegal killing of this keystone species. At the same time, working with local communities and landowners to minimize habitat loss caused by unsustainable farming and overgrazing is an ideal thing to do. The training of farming communities in conservation-friendly agriculture and creating land-use plans with communities that might otherwise encroach on critical wildlife corridors outside protected areas is recommended. The Amboseli is a vital elephant stronghold and popular tourist destination in East Africa. The community created conservancies to secure more space for elephants and other wildlife species. On these communal lands there is provision of an alternative livelihood for pastoralist groups using wildlife corridors as grazing land. By building the technical capacity of wildlife protection, rangers on the ground has strengthened monitoring systems that track threats across vast landscapes. Ranger training and provision of monitoring equipment patrol teams have destroyed uncountable poaching camps, arrested the poachers and confisticated elephant tusks and firearms.

However, catching poachers is only half the battle. Training and deployment of sniffer dog units at strategic ports of entry and exit has helped to deter trafficking and catch smugglers. Without effective prosecution, wildlife offenders can evade punishment-and worse still, continue to engage in crime against elephants. Prosecutors and law enforcers offer effective wildlife crime investigation and prosecution. In Tsavo which stretches across Kenya and Tanzania, cross-border coordination between anti-poaching units and wildlife law enforcement units has continued to deliver the much needed impact. Aerial widlife count shows that elephant population has increased tremendously. In addition to the growth of elephant population, buffalo and giraffe populations have increased. However, some elephant carcasses were spotted. This is a reminder that the elephant species is under constant threat from habitat loss, human wildlife conflict and poaching for its ivory.

39. Where are elephants most likely to be found in Africa?
    1. On grasslands and forests.
    2. On mountains and grasslands.
    3. On sparse grasslands only.
    4. On the savanna and plateaus 
40. Which of the below would secure natural habitats?
    1. Development of infrastructure.
    2. Provision of 24-hour security.
    3. Conservation efforts.
    4. Proper land scaping.
41. What is the main reason why elephants are killed?
    1. Because of destroying vegetation.
    2. Because of food demand by other animals.
    3. Because of their tusks.
    4. Because of their high population. 
42. The word popular has been used in the passage.Which word can be used in its place?
    1. Famous.
    2. Enjoyed.
    3.  Fashionable.
    4. Liked. 
43. Which of the below is making elephants to change their migratory routes?
    1. Human land disuse.
    2. Climatic changes.
    3. Few wild lands.
    4. Lack of enough pasture.
44. What has led to destruction of poaching camps?
    1. Lack of forest cover.
    2. Death of elephants.
    3. Rangers training.
    4. Provision of firearms.
45. Which of the below countries is Tsavo found?
    1. Tanzania.
    2. Botswana.
    3. Zimbabwe.
    4. Cameroon.
46. What do you think has been used to establish the actual population of elephants?
    1. Trucks.
    2. Aeroplane.
    3. Survey.
    4. Monitors.
47. It is true to state that
    1. farm areas are near forests
    2. wildlife crime investigation is slow
    3. sniffer dogs are placed at exits only
    4. killed elephants are more than those born.
48. Which animal has not benefited from the conservation efforts?
    1. Buffaloes.
    2. Elephants.
    3. Giraffes.
    4. Gazelles.
49. Who is responsible for the prevention of illegal killing of animals?
    1. Community scouts.
    2. Poachers.
    3. Prosecutors.
    4. Police officers.
50. Choose the appropriate title for the above passage?
    1. The extinction of African elephants.
    2. Elephants' support of Africa's ecosystem.
    3. Poaching and its effects.
    4. The real value of ivory.

Write a composition starting with the following sentence. Make your work as interesting as possible

Schools had just opened and the lessons had started off well. Everything changed when we heard the bell ring......................

MARKING SCHEME

1. C
2. C
3. A
4. D
5. B
6. B
7. D
8. A
9. C
10. B
11. D
12. A
13. A
14. C
15. B
16. D
17. C
18. A
19. B
20. B
21. B
22. D
23. A
24. D
25. C
26. B
27. B
28. C
29. A
30. D
31. D
32. C
33. B
34. A
35. A
36. C
37. D
38. A
39. A
40. C
41. C
42. D
43. B
44. C
45. A
46. B
47. D
48. D
49. A
50. B

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1 to15. For each blank- space, choose the best answer from the choices given.

There are many cases of youngsters.__1__ are usually left alone at home. Their parents have __2__ jobs that take most of their time. Such children get used to staying with no one to __3__ them. __4__ does anyone help them manage their time. Therefore they __5__
engaging in activities in which they can easily harm __6__.

There are some whose parents __7__ house helps to __8__ for their children. These house helps more __9__  than not are underage girls who have, __10__ capacity to raise children. Eventually this __11__ not to be a solution.

However, a solution seems to, __12__ found with the establishment of student care centres. They are open to students of all __13__. They provide guided activities that ensure that students are engaged with not only educational fun activities __14__ fun activities like games and sports. For a monthly charge, both working couples and single parents can __15__ their kids in these centres.

In questions 16 to 18, choose the best alternative to complete the sentences.  

16. He would have sent me a card
    
    1. if I would have informed him.
    2. had I informed him.
    3. unless I informed him.
    4. if I informed him.
17. He would rather work indoors,
    1. wouldn't he?
    2. won't he?
    3. would he?
    4. didn't he?
18. What ______________________ at the moment?
    
    1. are you doing
    2. did you do
    3. will you do
    4. have you done

In questions 19 and 20, choose the plural form of the underlined sentences.  

19. A piece of furniture was stolen from the store. Pieces of
    
    1. furnitures was stolen from the stores.
    2. furniture were stolen from the stores.
    3. furnitures were stolen from the stores.
    4. furnitures were stolen from the store.
20. The traveller had a heavy luggage and a fishing equipment. The
    
    1. travellers had heavy luggages and fishing equipment.
    2. traveller had heavy luggages and fishing equipments.
    3. travellers had heavy luggages and fishing equipments.
    4. travellers had heavy luggage and fishing equipment.

In questions 21 and 22, select the odd one out.  

21.  
    1. vest.
    2. clothes.
    3. blouse.
    4. shorts.
22.  
    1. beans. 
    2. peas.
    3. maize.
    4. cereals.

In questions 23 to 25, select the best alternative to fill the blank spaces.     

23. The _____________________ passengers were taken to the hospital after the accident.
    
    1. wounded
    2. injured
    3. hurt
    4. knocked
24. Some traditional ______________________ have been outlawed.
    
    1. practices
    2. practice
    3. practise
    4. practises
25. The clothes were ________________________ in the sun to dry.
    
    1. hanged
    2. hung
    3. hunged
    4. hunging

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 38.

Last night, I attended a concert that will forever be etched in my memory. The concert featured the one and only Taylor Swift, and it was held at the grandiose Staples Centre in Los Angeles. The arena was teeming with ecstatic fans of all ages, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the pop queen.

As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar. The stage was bathed in a spectrum of colours, revealing the shape of the one and only Taylor Swift as she emerged from the shadows. She was dressed in a dazzling silver jumpsuit that sparkled under the spotlights, showing confidence and unrestrained energy. She opened the show with her hit song "Shake it off" and the crowd sang along with her in perfect harmony, their voices blending together to create a symphony of excitement.

The concert was a journey through time, featuring a perfect blend of Taylor Swift's old and new songs. Each time she sang a song from her newest album, the crowd erupted in a frenzy, jumping and dancing along with her. She had a few guest appearances, including one of her close friends who sang with her on stage. Together, they ignited the crowd with their harmony, moves and melodious voices.

Throughout the concert, Taylor Swift had a magnetic stage presence, engaging with the crowd, sharing stories about the inspiration behind some of her songs, and even inviting a few lucky fans on stage to sing and dance with her. The crowd was in awe as they got to experience that magical moment with her.

The concert was a feast for the senses, with an enormous screen behind the stage displaying a mesmerizing array of visuals and videos that perfectly matched the songs being played. The stage was adorned with a spectacular array of bright lights and pyrotechnics that added an extra layer of drama and excitement to the performance.

As the concert came to a close, Taylor Swift closed the show with her hit song "Love Story" and the crowd sang along with her, their voices rising to the rafters. The air was filled with a cascade of confetti, creating a magical and unforgettable moment. It was a night of pure magic, and I couldn't help but feel awestruck by Taylor Swift's undeniable talent and electrifying stage presence.

26. The concert can be described using all the following words except
    1. historical.
    2. memorable.
    3. unforgettable.
    4. historic.
27. The word 'ecstatic' can be replaced with all the following words except
    1. overjoyed. 
    2. rowdy. 
    3. thrilled.
    4. jubilant.
28. Why did the crowd erupt into a loud noise?
    
    1. The stage was brightly decorsted. 
    2. The singer had arrived on stage. 
    3. The music had already started. 
    4. They saw Taylor Swift in the darkness.
29. Which of the following statements is true?
    
    1. "Shake it off" was the first song sang.
    2. The crowd didn't know the singer's songs.
    3. The fans sang before the singer. 
    4. The crowd sang with confidence.
30. Why was the concert a journey through time?
    
    1. A mix of new and old songs were performed.
    2. Taylor sang songs done by other singers.
    3. The crowd was singing along with her.
    4. She took a lot of time singing her songs.
31. We can conclude that
    
    1. Taylor's new song was unknown.
    2. Taylor's new song was very popular.
    3. "Love story" was an old song.
    4. Taylor's old songs were not popular at all.
32. Taylor Swift and her close friend endeared themselves to the crowd by all the following except
    
    1. their moves.
    2. their sweet voices.
    3. creating a good harmony. 
    4. their friendship..
33. Taylor's performance was made magnetic by
    1. engaging with the crowd. 
    2. inviting the crowd in stage.
    3. leaving the stage to dance with the crowd.
    4. composing new songs in stage.
34. Why do you think some fans were described as "lucky"? They
    
    1. won the dancing competition. 
    2. heard the inspiration in the songs.
    3. got an opportunity many did not.
    4. saw Taylor dancing on stage.
35. The stage was decorated with 
    1. balloons and pyrotechnics.
    2. bright lights and pyrotechnics. 
    3. balloons and confetti.
    4. posters and ribbons.
36. The big screen behind the stage showed
    
    1. fascinating visuals and videos of the songs played.
    2. past videos of Taylor Swift.
    3. visuals and videos of Taylor's new songs.
    4. the events of the concert as they happened.
37. We can say the crowd sang the song 'Love Story'
    
    1. emotionally.
    2. loudly.
    3. softly.
    4. melodiously.
38. What makes us believe that the writer enjoyed the concert? He
    
    1. was awestruck by Taylor's beauty and personality.
    2. sang and danced along with Taylor Swift.
    3. was fascinated by Taylor's stage presence and talent.
    4. felt bad when the concert drew to an end.