Form 3 English Test
Test 4: Inferring meaning from written texts
Total: 30 marks
Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________________
The s
Read the story below and then answer the questions that follow.
The magic of the baobab tree
Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a wealth
of mystique, legend and superstition, wherever it occurs in Africa. It is a tree that can
provide food, water, shelter and relief from sickness.
Description
The main stem of larger baobab trees may reach enormous proportions of up to 28 m in
girth, although baobab trees seldom exceed a height of 25 m. The massive, usually squat
cylindrical trunk gives rise to thick tapering branches resembling a root-system, which is why
it has often been referred to as the upside-down tree. This tree is slow-growing, mainly due
to the low rainfall it receives.
Distribution
The baobab tree is found in areas of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and
other tropical African countries where suitable habitat occurs. It is restricted to hot, dry
woodland on stony, well-drained soils, in frost-free areas that receive low rainfall.
Ecology
Bats primarily pollinate its large white flowers at night, although many different insects and
other creatures, such as swarms of bees and flocks of birds, will visit the sweetly-scented
flowers. The flowers, being white, are more visible at night and, being sweetly scented, also
help to attract a wide variety of potential pollinators.
1/5
English Test 4
© Pearson Botswana. Permission is given to photocopy these pages for school use.
Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the large branches, and travellers and local people
often use this valuable source of water. It has been recorded that in some cases, the centre
of the tree is purposely hollowed out to serve as a reservoir for water during the rainy
season.
Many references have made mention of the exceptional vitality of this tree, noting that
even after the entire tree is cut down, it simply resprouts from the root and continues to
grow; the same is noted of trees that have been blown over in storms.
Determining the age of baobabs
There is much speculation about the age of certain large baobab trees and their rate of
growth. More recent work using carbon-dating techniques, as well as the study of core
samples showing growth rings, suggest that a tree with a diameter of 10 m may be as old as
2 000 years.
1.
Identify which statements about the baobab tree are true or false.
a)
The baobab tree grows well in areas of Africa that receive a high rainfall.
(1)
_______________
b)
Bats are attracted by the white flowers of the baobab tree.
(1)
_______________
c)
The baobab tree is called the inside-out tree.
(1)
_______________
d)
A tree with a diameter of 10 m is believed to be about 2 000 years old.
(1)
_______________
2/5
English Test 4
© Pearson Botswana. Permission is given to photocopy these pages for school use.
e)
The baobab is a small tree.
(1)
_______________
2.
[5]
Write down the meaning of the words in bold by working out their meanings
from the context in which they are used in the sentences.
a)
The main stem of larger baobab trees may reach enormous proportions
of up to 28 m in girth, although baobab trees seldom exceed a height of
25 m.
(1)
________________________________________________________________
b)
The massive, usually squat cylindrical trunk gives rise to thick tapering
branches resembling a root-system.
(2)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
c)
Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the large branches.
(1)
________________________________________________________________
d)
After the entire tree is cut down, it simply resprouts from the root and
continues to grow
________________________________________________________________
(1)
[5]
3/5
English Test 4
© Pearson Botswana. Permission is given to photocopy these pages for school use.
3.
The order of the following sentences has been jumbled. Re-order the
sentences to form a paragraph about the superstitions surrounding baobab
trees.
(10)
a)
Because of these legends and superstitions, when inhabitants move from
one area to another, they often take seeds of the baobab with them,
which they plant at their new homestead.
b)
There are many legends and superstitions surrounding the baobab tree.
c)
It is also believed that water in which the seeds have been soaked will
offer protection against attacks by crocodiles.
d)
One example of this is the fact that, in some parts, that the baobab is
worshipped as a symbol of fertility.
e)
Another superstition among certain people is that spirits inhabit the
flowers of the baobab and that any person who picks a flower will be
eaten by a lion.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. Below is a list of nouns. In each case, identify whether the noun is an
abstract noun, a common noun, a proper noun or a collective noun.
a)
vitality _____________________________________________________
b)
Botswana ___________________________________________________
c)
swarm _____________________________________________________
(10)
4/5
English Test 4
© Pearson Botswana. Permission is given to photocopy these pages for school use.
d)
tree _______________________________________________________
e)
Africa ______________________________________________________
f)
bat ________________________________________________________
g)
flower _____________________________________________________
h)
wealth _____________________________________________________
i)
flock _______________________________________________________
j)
pulp _______________________________________________________
[Total: 30]
5/5
English Test 4
© Pearson Botswana. Permission is given to photocopy these pages for school use.