Name: __________________________ Register No: _______ Class: ______ MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2012 Secondary Three Express ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1128/02 Paper 2 Comprehension INSERT This question paper consists of 3 printed pages excluding the cover page. HAI SING CATHOLIC 2012 [Turn over] HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 1 Section B [20 marks] Text 2 (When he was a young man, the writer travelled across Spain. The passage describes a journey he made from the port of Vigo to the town of Zamora during his first few days in that country.) 1 It was early and still dark when we reached the harbour and the soothingly rhythmic rocking of the ship stopped. I was awakened by the noise of the rattling anchor going over the side. I didnt want to move at first, because I had enjoyed the voyage, my very first experience of the sea. So I lay for a while in the silence of Vigo harbour and listened to the first faint sounds of Spain a howling dog and the sharp cry of a cockerel. I had at last reached my destination, 5 and so I went up onto the deck and for the first time in my life I saw, looped round the bay like a sparkling necklace, the shape of a foreign city. There was no movement among the houses, but lights were coming on and twinkling as people got up for the new day. 2 I was in Spain and a new life was beginning. I had a few coins in my pocket and no return ticket; I had a rucksack, a tent, some spare clothes, a blanket, a violin and only enough words 10 to ask for a glass of water. The sun rose, and people started appearing on the street. I cut my last connection with home by changing my coins into local currency, bought some bread and fruit and headed straight for the open country. 3 I spent the rest of the day on the long, arduous climb up from the coast, and then decided to put up my tent for the night on a craggy hilltop. A primitive instinct had forced me to leave the 15 road and climb to this rocky tower, which gave me an eagles view of the distant harbour I had recently left. I could see where I had been that day and much of the country still to come, which rolled desolately away, white and silent. Faced with its alien magnificence, I felt a pang of homesickness, but nevertheless a twinge of excitement. 4 Night fell quickly and the valleys filled with heavy shadows which took on strange and eerie 20 shapes. The jagged coastline looked menacing, like fragments of broken glass. As the sun went down, Vigo became cold and dim, smothered in the blue dusk. I couldnt help but feel abandoned, even though it was foolish of me, when I saw the small white ship on which I had arrived sail off in the gloom. I sat on the hilltop, my teeth chattering as the night wind rose. I found a little hollow out of the wind, ate some bread and fruit and put up my small tent. 25 Because I had only a bed of stones to lie on, sleep eluded me. Moreover, I was troubled by wild dogs which howled in the distance. Not until dawn did their yelping and snarling stop and I fell asleep at last. 5 When I woke next morning it was already light; I looked at my watch and saw that it was six oclock. Realising that I was uncomfortably drenched in dew, I wriggled out of my blanket and 30 lay in the rising sun, inhaling the pleasant smell of drying bushes and wild herbs. I felt the warm earth beneath my stiff limbs and forgot the dew on the hillside as I looked out on a new world, alone and without a plan, in a place that was totally unfamiliar to me. 6 The next day I followed the track through the hills, giving in to a feeling of loneliness when I saw occasional signs of life sometimes a shepherds hut, or a boy with a flock of goat. The 35 track climbed higher into the clear, cold air, and I followed it, frequently convinced that I had lost my way. That night I took shelter in a ruined castle. The remains of fires and the skeleton of a sheep, propped in one corner, sent shivers of apprehension down my spine. This place was, I thought, an obvious refuge for bandits. But I slept well enough, in spite of the rustlings in the walls and the sighing of the mountain wind. On the following day, I finished my bread 40 and fruit, and was glad to find some wild grapes to eat. After that, all I remember about those days is a steadily sharpening hunger, which made me lose all track of time, I was aware of nothing but a shifting pattern of sun and shadow, hunger and sleep. 7 I came down at last to the rich plain around the town of Zamora, where crops grew in abundance in the Spanish summer. My head thumped in the blindingly bright light and I 45 screwed up my eyes, which in itself was painful because my face had been burned by the HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 2 sun. I stood there, covered in road dust, and looked at Zamora somewhat decrepit now, but still retaining something of its splendid past. The nearby river was like a leathery arm of wrinkled mud, with a vein down the middle of green, stagnant water. I padded into the town square and sat down under a tree. After the long days walk my back was soaked with sweat. 50 I slipped my bag to the ground; it had felt like a load of stones and I was glad to be free to it. Adapted from As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 3 Section C [25 marks] Text 3 The article below explains how humans are affecting the population of sharks. 1 Faced with drastically changed environments or catastrophically reduced population sizes, many species may change and evolve, become rare, or even go extinct. The changes humans make and continue to make, through the effects of our technology and our sheer numbers are gravely affecting their habitats and numbers. Every environmental change we make: spilling of oil into the sea, silting of reefs, clearing of forests and even the flushing of a toilet eventually affects the sea and the animals that live in it. 2 Overfishing of sharks is of growing international concern. Repeated catches of cartilaginous fishes currently exceed 700,000 tons a year and few shark fisheries have any kind of enforced management control in place. In the 1930s and 1940s, demand for shark liver oil stimulated rapid growth of fisheries for sharks all over the world. Although sharks are no longer in great demand today for its liver oil, the shark population has never recovered due to the depletion of its juveniles. In addition to such specialised fisheries, trawling and tuna fishing operating over wide areas take significant numbers of sharks as by-catch. Much of this accidental catch from bottom trawling on the continental shelves and continental slopes of the world is not adequately reported but instead discarded dead at sea. These factors, combined with the sharks low reproductive rates, further contribute to the rapid decline in their population. 3 Biologists and conservation groups recommend immediate measures to reduce fishing to sustainable levels, to stop wasteful fishing practices, and to protect fragile habitats, such as inshore breeding grounds. Humans have the power to change the world. Of course, so do many other species. Birds transport seeds to newly created islands and forests are born. Corals and algae build reefs and islands. But the power humans possess is in many ways unique. We can make changes by accident or by design. We can try to understand the consequences of our acts or we can act in ignorance and carelessness and destroy the environment. 4 The greatest difference, however, is in impact. Like every species, we interact with and depend upon a multitude of other species with which we share the land and ocean. But unlike other species, our power to change the environment is greatly magnified by our technology and by our overwhelming numbers. Hence the responsibility of saving the environment rightfully lies with us. 5 We can act individually or in concert to save the environment. Consider joining one of the societies or conservation groups which are working toward having effective marine park areas and no-take zones declared. Subscribe to natural history and diving magazines and add your vote to campaigns orchestrated for the protection of the environment. Work with the public aquarium in your area to learn about local and global marine issues and ways to act. The Internet and the World Wide Web are also great tools for learning and sharing your observations and ideas for solving problems. 6 Sharks and all other creatures will remain in jeopardy unless we truly understand how nature works and modify our actions to have minimal consequences. We need to help our future generation recognise the power we have to change the environment, but we should not oversimplify the matter or preach stridently or we risk losing our credibility. Adapted from Sharks and Us National Geographic, Sept 2000 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 4 MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2012 Secondary Three Express ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1128/02 Paper 2 Comprehension ANSWER BOOKLET This question paper consists of 6 printed pages excluding the cover page. HAI SING CATHOLIC 2012 [Turn over] HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 5 Section B [20 marks] Refer to Text 2 on pages 1 and 2 of the Insert for Questions 1 11. 1. In paragraph 1, the writer tells us that Vigo resembled a sparkling necklace. In what two [2] ways did Vigo resemble a sparkling necklace? Number your answers (i) and (ii). i) _________________________________________________________________ ii) 2. Apart from a shortage of money, what other evidence is there to suggest that the writer [1] might have difficulty settling in this new country? 3. a new life was beginning. What two pieces of evidence in paragraph 2 tell you that [2] the writer had no intention to return to his old life? Evidence 1 -_______________________________________________________ Evidence 2 -_______________________________________________________ 4. In paragraph 3, the writer said he had an eagles view (line 16). What kind of view does [1] the writer have from his perch on the hilltop? HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 6 5. In paragraph 4, the writer felt threatened. What two specific descriptions of the [2] landscape in this paragraph create this feeling? Number your answers i) and ii) i) ______________________________________________________________ ii) ______________________________________________________________ The writer was carefree and excited when he woke up that morning. Oh, but I think he was also lonely and anxious that morning. Ben Alice i) How did Ben arrive at the conclusion that the writer was carefree and excited? a: Carefree: ________________________________________________________ b. Excited: _________________________________________________________ ii) How would Alice support her claim that the writer was lonely and anxious? a. Lonely : _________________________________________________________ b. Anxious: ________________________________________________________ HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 7 6. Here is part of the conversation between two students, Alice and Ben who have read [4] paragraph 5. 7. In paragraph 6, the writer felt lonely when he saw occasional signs of life. Why would the [1] signs of life make him feel lonely? 8. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Explain fully why the writer was apprehensive when he took shelter in the ruined castle. [2] ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 9. Why did the writer describe the plain in the town of Zamora as rich (line 44)? [1] __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 10. My head thumped in the blindingly bright light. (line 45) In your own words describe [1] the effect of the sun on the writer at this point of his journey. 11. a. The writer compared the nearby river to a leathery arm of wrinkled mud (lines 48 -[2] 49). Why did the writer make this comparison? b. Besides the condition that the river was in, what other evidence is there that Zamora [1] did not get much rainfall? HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 8 Section C [25 marks] Refer to Text 3 on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 12 19. 12. How do many species cope when their existence is threatened? [1] 13. State the factors that allow humans to change the environment rapidly. [1] 14. The writer states that every environmental change we make affects the earth. How [1] does he emphasise this point? 15. In paragraph 3, the writer mentions two differences in the way that we humans [2] change the world compared to other species. What are these two differences? First difference ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Second difference ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 16. Quote the word in paragraph 4 that the writer uses to show that other species have a right to earth too. HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 9 17. But unlike other species, our power to change the environment is greatly magnified by our technology and by our overwhelming numbers. In your own words explain what led the writer to the conclusion that the responsibility of saving the world rightfully lies with us. [2] _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 18 we should not oversimplify the matter or preach stridently or we risk losing our credibility. (line 39) Explain in your own words what the writer feels we should not do if we do not want to lose our credibility. [2] _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 19. Shark population has been falling. The passage deals with the reasons for this trend and the various actions that can be taken to address this problem. Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the factors which contribute to the reduction in the number of sharks and what we, as individuals, can do to improve the situation. [15] Use only information from paragraph 2 to 5. Your summary which should be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be longer than 80 words (not counting the words given to help you begin). Begin your summary as follows: Overfishing of sharks has depleted shark juveniles, making it difficult _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 10 Total number of words : (________) HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 11 MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2012 Secondary Three Express ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1128/02 Paper 2 Comprehension ANSWERS This question paper consists of 5 printed pages excluding the cover page. HAI SING CATHOLIC 2012 [Turn over] HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 12 1. In paragraph 1, the writer tells us that Vigo resembled a sparkling necklace. In what two [2] ways did Vigo resemble a sparkling necklace? Number your answers (i) and (ii). i) Note: Key ideas are i) shape and ii) light It/Vigo was looped round the bay / was circular/ curved/ went round the bay /coast/ land/ sea (Note: Accept lift of line 7 (looped round the bay (like a sparkling necklace) Excess denies and shape of foreign city = 0) ii) The lights in the city were bright/ twinkling/ sparkling / coming on/ flashing/ shining/shiny. Or Vigo was bright/ lit up/ illuminated/ bright (Note: Accept lift of line) 2. Apart from a shortage of money, what other evidence is there to suggest that the writer [1] might have difficulty settling in this new country? He only knew enough words to ask for a glass of water. Note: He could not/could hardly speak the language / didnt speak the language well does not merit mark as no evidence has been supplied. . Accept the lift of lines 11 12 (only enough words to ask for a glass of water.) but had enough words to ask for a glass of water = 0 -doesnt answer question. 3. a new life was beginning. What two pieces of evidence in paragraph 2 tell you that [2] the writer had no intention to return to his old life? He had no return ticket (1) He had changed whatever little money he has into the local currency.(1) Note: Do not accept lift of lines 10 11 (I had a few coins and no return ticket) Any reference to rucksack, tent, clothes, blanket, violin = 0 4. In paragraph 3, the writer had an eagles view (line 17). What kind of view does the [1] writer have from his perch on the hilltop? He had a panoramic view. He could see the area that was spread out below and behind him. Note: aerial view = 0 as the writer is not in the air. Students have to extract the relevant part of bird eye view but not to take it literally. HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 13 5. In paragraph 4, the writer felt threatened. What landscape in this paragraph create this feeling? two specific descriptions of the [2] Number your answers i) and ii) i. heavy shadows which took on strange and eerie shapes 6. ii. the jagged coastline looked menacing like broken fragments of glass Note that the students are to provide the detailed description like broken fragments of glass. Here is part of the conversation between two students, Alice and Ben who have read paragraph 5. [4] The writer was carefree and excited when he woke up that morning. Oh, but I think he was also lonely and anxious that morning. Ben Alice iii) How did Ben arrive at the conclusion that the writer was carefree and excited? a. Carefree: He had no plan for the day no schedule to adhere to so is carefree. b. Excited: He sees the world as a new place so there is excitement in exploring it. iv) How would Alice support her claim that the writer was lonely and anxious? a. Lonely: The writer had used the word alone. He has no company and therefore could be expected to feel lonely. b. Anxious: The place is unfamiliar to him and that could give rise to anxiety. The lack of plan could also give rise to anxiety. HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 14 7. In paragraph 6, the writer felt lonely when he saw occasional signs of life. Why would the [1] signs of life make him feel lonely? The signs of life could remind him that he had no friends in this country. 8. Explain fully why the writer was apprehensive when he took shelter in the ruined castle. [2] The presence of the skeleton made him realise that the place was a hideout for bandits [1] and that he might run into them / they might cause him harm if they find him there. [1] for the consequence. 9. Why did the writer describe the plain in the town of Zamora as rich (line 47)? [1] Because crops grew in abundance here. 10. My head thumped in the blindingly bright light. (line 48) In your own words describe [1] the effect of the sun on the writer at this point of his journey. It gave him a headache. 11. a. The writer compared the nearby river to a leathery arm of wrinkled mud (lines [2] 50 -51). Why did the writer make this comparison? a. He wanted to emphasise how dry the river was. [1] b. Even the river bed was exposed and the mud in it drying up as well. [1] b. Besides the condition that the river was in, what other evidence is there that Zamora [1] did not get much rainfall? He was coated with dust. HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 15 Section C [25 marks] Refer to Text 3 on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 12 19. 12. How do many species cope when their existence is threatened? [1] They change and evolve. Note: Both points must be included to score 1 mark Inclusion of become rare, or even go extinct = 0 13. State the factors that allow humans to change the environment rapidly. [1] Our technology [ ] and our sheer numbers [ ]. 14. The writer states that every environmental change we make affects the earth. How [1] does he emphasise this point? By telling us that even the simple act of flushing the toilet effects the environment. 15 In paragraph 3, the writer mentions two differences in the way that we humans [2] change the world compared to other species. What are these two differences? First difference Animals change the world through acts that are done unconsciously [ ] Man have a choice of affecting the world through design [ ] Second difference Animals change the world through acts that result in positive effects [ ] whereas the effects humans have on the world can be both positive and negative [ ] 16. In paragraph 3, quote a word that the writer used to show that animals like humans [1] have a right to the earth. share 17. In your own words explain what led the writer to the conclusion that the [2] responsibility of saving the world rightfully lies with us. Because of technology and our huge population [1], the impact we have on the environment is very much greater compared to the impact that other species make [1]. Note: Comparison must be made to earn the second mark. HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 16 18 we should not oversimplify the matter or preach stridently or we risk losing our [2] credibility. (line 39) Explain in your own words what the writer feels we should not do if we do not want to lose our credibility. We should not make light of the situation/ make it seem like it is an easy problem to solve. [1] and We should not push too hard/ be too persistent or insistent in getting people to see their role in saving the environment. [1] 19. Shark population has been falling. The passage deals with the reasons for this trend [15] and the various actions that can be taken to address this problem. Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the factors which contribute to the reduction in the number of sharks and what we, as individuals, can do to improve the situation. Use only information from paragraphs 2 to 5. Your summary which should be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be longer than 80 words (not counting the words given to help you begin). Begin your summary as follows: Overfishing of sharks has depleted shark juveniles, making it difficult 1. for its population to recover even today. 2. Few shark fisheries have any kind of enforced management control 3. Sharks are also victims of by-catches 4. They also have low reproductive rates Individual effort: 5. We must try and understand the consequences of our actions 6. Try and understand how nature works 7. By subscribing to natural history or diving magazines 8. Or working with the local aquarium to learn about marine issues 9. Use the Internet to learn and share observation and ideas for solving problems. 10. we can join a conservation group 11. Add our votes to campaigns to protect the environment. (maximum of 5 points for this factor) has depleted juveniles making it difficult for shark population to recover. Furthermore, few fisheries enforce any form of control. Sharks also become by-catches, victims of tuna trawling. Their very low reproductive rates also make it difficult for their numbers to grow. As individuals, we can help by reading up on how nature works in magazines or the internet. We must also try and understand the consequences of our actions. Lastly, we can join conservation groups and vote to protect the environment. Total number of words : (80) HaiSingCatholicSchool/MYE/2012/Paper1 Page 17