NAME:
(
)
CLASS:
YISHUN TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL
ENGLISH LANGUAGE (1128/02)
SEC 4 EXPRESS / SEC 5 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION II 2014
PAPER 2 COMPREHENSION
DATE
:
1 September 2014
DURATION:
1 hour 50 minutes
Candidates answer on the Question Booklet.
Additional Materials:
Insert
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your class, index number and name on the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black ink on both sides of the paper.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid/tape.
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Question Booklet.
The Insert contains the texts for all the sections.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
For Examiner’s Use
Section A
ANSWERS
Section B
Section C
Total
This document consists of 8 printed pages and 1 Insert.
Vetted by: Secondary 4 and 5 English teachers
[Turn over
2
Section A [5 marks]
For
Examiner’s
Use
Text 1
Refer to the webpage (Text 1) on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 1–4.
1
Refer to the sub-heading Be a responsible cat owner and the information presented under
it. According to the information presented, other than being responsible, what two
characteristics should cat owners have?


2
Ethical/discerning consumers. They should check on the pet farms where their
pets come from and only make purchases from ethical pet farms. [1]
Committed. They should be prepared to take care/keep/own the pet. [1]
How does the photograph illustrate the message in the paragraph under the sub-heading
Cat Adoption Drives?
The photograph of a vulnerable/pitiful/needy kitten (that seems in need of an owner)
illustrates the message of Cat Adoption Drives, which is to encourage more
adoptions (and give permanent homes to abandoned and stray cats). [1]
[The kitten has to be described in relation to its dependence on humans. Not cute
kitten because it does not show the dependence on humans.]
3
How can one be an adopter?
People who are interested to be adopters will need to undergo a selection process/an
assessment. [1]
4
Which sentence gives the main purpose of the webpage?
“A Pet is for Life!” [1]
3
Section B [20 marks]
Refer to Text 2 on pages 3 and 4 of the Insert for Questions 5–13.
5
Explain how the language used in paragraph 1 makes the atmosphere appear angry.
Support your ideas with three details from paragraph 1.
‘an enormous swarm of bees seething and rotating’ suggests the crowd (harboured
an unspoken anger) and behaved aggressively/violently/ready to attack. [1]
‘(policemen wedged helplessly among the hordes of Burmans, some brandishing
their sticks while some raising clenched fists) barking at the crowd to maintain order
futilely’ suggests the policemen tried very hard to control the crowd but were unable
to (and this led to their frustration). [1]
‘(terrific) bellowing of oaths’ suggests that the crowd was shouting (and was irate).
[1]
6
What do ‘immediately swallowed up’ (line 8) and ‘animal heat’ (line 10) suggest about how
the crowd appears to Flory?
‘immediately swallowed up’: the crowd was quick to engulf/ grab him [1]
‘animal heat’: it was wild/ uncivilised/ savage/ primaeval/ instinctive AND warm
(due to warmth exuded from the bodies of people who are standing very closely
together) [1]
7
Why was the riot ‘absurd’ (line 11)?
 What is my understanding of absurd? What should it be?
 Is there something odd about the riot? Be sure to read around to find out.
The Burmans did not know / was unsure of what to do with him [1]
Some were harsh towards him, yet others tried to make way for him, as a white man.
[1]
8
‘It was like wading neck-deep through a viscous sea’ (lines 19-20).
What does this suggest about Flory’s attempt to get out of the crowd?
It was a difficult process [1] because the crowd was packed so closely
together/dense (that it was hard for Flory to get out of it). [1]
9
‘For a moment, Flory thought that his order had been disregarded’ (lines 31-32). Give
evidence to support Flory’s momentary view and how it differs from what actually happened.
Momentary view: ‘almost the entire section of the crowd nearest them had fallen (like
For
Examiner’s
Use
4
a swath of hay).’ [1]
What actually happened: ‘they had only flung themselves down (in panic).’ [1]
[Students can paraphrase their answers]
For
Examiner’s
Use
10
‘It was U Po Kyin, who spoke with admirable impudence’ (lines 37-38).
What is unusual and effective about the phrase ‘admirable impudence’?
It is unusual because impudence is a negative attribute that is not encouraged but it
is seen as a positive attribute that calls for admiration here. [1]
It is effective because it shows how shrewd/opportunistic U Po Kyin was (and this
disgusted Flory). [1]
11
Which phrase describes the way U Po Kyin ‘nodded in a bow-like fashion’ (lines 38-39)?
‘(in an) almost patronising manner’ [1]
12
Identify two phrases in paragraph 7 which suggest impending rain.
‘black clouds (were streaming like a pack of hounds)’ [1]
‘(a sudden intensely) rich scent of damp’ [1]
5
13
The structure of the text reflects the main stages in the narrative. Complete the flow chart by
choosing one phrase from the box to summarise the main focus of each stage of the
narrative. There are some extra phrases in the box that you do not need to use.
Main focus
Seeking a resolution
Sharing experiences
A happy arrival
A futile struggle
An unwelcomed encounter
A heated conflict
Meeting with anticipation
Flow chart
Paragraph 1
(i)
A heated conflict
Paragraphs 2-3
(ii)
A futile struggle
Paragraphs 4-5
(iii)
Seeking a resolution
Paragraph 6
(iv)
An unwelcomed
encounter
[4]
For
Examiner’s
Use
6
Section C [25 marks]
SUMMARY
19
Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the ways in which music has a
positive impact in our lives.
Use only information from paragraphs 5 to 7.
Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). It must not be longer than
80 words (not counting the words given to help you begin).
Music therapy, either by listening or actively making music is …………………………………
Lifted
1. Music can be effective in conjunction
with other interventions in promoting
relaxation,
2. alleviating anxiety and pain in
medicine and dentistry,
3. and promoting well-being through the
production of particular endorphins.
4. It has also been used to promote
appropriate behaviour in vulnerable
groups and
5. enhance the quality of life of those
who cannot be helped medically.
6. Music can also play an important part
in the early years of human
development.
7. It promotes the well-being of foetuses
and infants by stimulating them in
specific ways.
8. It has been found that early interactions
between mother and child are similar
to the rhythms found in music and this
assists in the development of
communication skills.
9. Listening to the appropriate type of
music or being involved in making it
helps us learn better too./ Listening to
quiet, relaxing background music can
improve performance on a range of
academic tasks
10. an active involvement in music
making may enhance self-esteem and
promote the development of a range
of social and transferable skills.
Paraphrased
useful in stimulating/enabling relaxation
when used with other measures.
Music reduces apprehension and pain in
medicine and dentistry,
brings comfort by generating particular
endorphins.
It is also used to encourage suitable
behaviours for those at risk
and to improve lives of patients in
palliative care/patients who are
terminally ill.
Moreover, music is crucial in our initial
progress.
It stimulates foetuses and infants through
particular methods to support their wellbeing.
Resembling musical rhythms, the initial
interactions between mother and child help
to advance communication skills.
In addition, listening to the suitable genre
of music or participating in its creation
facilitates our learning.
An active participation in the creation of
music can heighten our self-esteem, help
expand our array of social and life skills.
Music therapy, either by listening or actively making music is useful in stimulating
relaxation when used with other measures. Music reduces apprehension and pain in
medicine and dentistry, brings comfort by generating particular endorphins. It is also
7
used to encourage suitable behaviours for those at risk and to improve lives of patients
in palliative care. Moreover, music is crucial in our initial progress. It stimulates foetuses
and infants through particular methods to support their well-being. Resembling musical
rhythms, the initial interactions between mother and child help to advance
communication skills. (80 words)