English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Pavement Pre-Mock Exams 2021/2022

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Instructions to Students

  • Answer all the questions
  1. COMPREHENSION (20MARKS)
    Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

    America has a long tradition of creativity. The expression Yankee ingenuity is an acknowledgement of this trait present Americans with a novel problem, especially technological and they are likely to come up with the solution sooner rather than later.

    That is the positive side. The downside is that in policy matters, Americans sometimes come up with the solutions and then look for personal problems on which to test them. Washington D.C, perhaps more than any other city in the world, has many solutions seeking problems to lock onto.

    If the solutions are successful, domestically or internationally, you can expect any amount of excitement and chest thumping, which is another hallmark of the American character. Modesty is frowned upon as something for sissies or failures. Countries and peoples are ready paradigm of winners and losers. Woe unto you if you are a ‘loser’. You will endure all manner of taunts and putdowns.

    To escape this fate, most Americans-including those who are demonstrably poor, call themselves middle class, which probably they are when compared to the poor in other places. But poverty is relative to immediate environment not to some distant places.

    One of the more recent American inventions is spinning not as in making clothes (the American textile industry has long being outsourced, notably from China another low wage country),but rather as in using words and other symbols amplified by the media to paint a picture of anything and everything in alight favorable to the presenter’s side.

    This past week, the world witnessed, yet again, this peculiar American habit of hype and more hype, in this instance, designed to drive the point home that America’s declared policy to force-feed democracy to recalcitrant societies has just scored a humongous victory. Following the Iraqi elections the turn out in particular, has been hailed as a stunning victory of American policy. Pitted against Iraqi Jihadists who are waging a relentless and ruthless insurgency, a scintilla of validation of America’s Iraqi policy was all that was necessary to set off celebratory fireworks.

    To those who recount narratives (the spinners), whose job it is to put a bright glass on things a clear picture of winners and losers are the Neanderthals; “thugs and assassins” in the words of the newly sworn in secretary of state Condeleeza Rice-the insurgents who threatened to wreak havoc on election day in Iraq but were thwarted.

    The high turnout was read as a violation of many things that were most likely absent from the minds of those Iraqi voters who cast their ballots. Before it was even known whom they had voted for and why, the whole enterprise was turned into cause for chest thumping by some American politicians, prompting John Kerry the loser in the November presidential race, to warn against hyping the Iraqi election.

    Who will listen to a loser? This is America! By the time Kerry spoke, the spinning was in full gear. It was another turning point, declared elated talking heads. Never mind that there have been numerous “turning pints” in Iraq’s tortured post-invasion experience. The winners were emerging.

    A few voices have urged caution but they are drowned out by the self-congratulation that has engulfed just about every major media outlet here.

    It is reminiscent of the chatter that followed Saddam Hussein’s capture. That was another turning point. The irony is that America has been through this before, in a different place, with almost the exact same headlines. In the late 1967, many American newspapers published flowery and upbeat stories on the elections held in South Vietnam at the height of the war. The turnout was nearly 83% despite Vietcong terror. The election was declared a success and a turning point that would lead to stabilization of the country and eventual defeat of the insurgents. Of course, nothing of the sort happened.

    History does not invariably repeat itself. Sometimes it does. Whatever one might think of it, history does always serve up many lessons. One of them is that a dose of modesty is always in order when confronted with vast historical forces or when seeking to rearrange complex societies their go hundreds, if not thousands, of years back.

    What may look like victory as first sight may turn out to be another opening to a complex and trying situation that control produce winners or losers. It looks like this what is emerging in Iraq. The millions who headed to the polls on the instructions of their electrical leaders (remember Grand Ayatollah Sistani declared it a religious duty to vote? May or may not have had a clear idea of what society were hoping to create. Their leaders probably do.

    Iraqis voted and they are justifiably proud of it. However, this should not be made to look like a first in the Islamic world, as it is being painted in the media. Not too long ago, an Islamic party had won a clear and convincing victory in a free and fair election in Algeria. It was never allowed to assume power. The international authorities desisted from calling the denial an affront to democratic practice. The man who cancelled the Algerian election results is feted in the very same quarters that now preach democracy.

    Society’s broken tyranny, war, fragmentation and other ills are not served by putdowns of important segments within them.

    The approach may produce winners in the short term but for more losers in the end. Moreover, here we are talking of those who could lose everything, including their lives, on a mass scale. A little modesty may just be what is needed to get people across the divide talking. After all, in the end, we are all losers.

    Questions
    1. What is the negative side of America’s long tradition of creativity? (2marks)
    2. “Woe unto you if you are a loser.” What does the author mean by this statement? (2marks)
    3. Identify and explain an instance of irony in this passage. (3marks)
    4. What is the author’s attitude towards the Americans? Give reasons for your answer. (2marks)
    5. ‘...and the losers are Neanderthals; …’ explain how the Neanderthals became losers according to this passage. (2marks)
    6. What according to the passage is referred to as spinning? (2marks)
    7. Identify one American policy discussed in this passage. (2marks)
    8. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. (5marks)
      1. Ingenuity…………………………………………………………………………………………….
      2. Hallmark……………………………………………………………………………………………
      3. Engulfed……………………………………………………………………………………………
      4. Humongous………………………………………………………………………………………….
      5. Invariably………………………………………………………………………………………
  2. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow
    Nora: (jumping up and going to him) oh, dear, nice Doctor Rank, I never meant that at all. But surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a little like being with Papa –
    (enter MAID from the hall)
    Maid: if you please, ma’am. (Whispers and hands her a card)
    Nora: (glancing at the card) oh! (Puts it into her pocket)
    Rank: is there anything wrong?
    Nora: No, no, not in the least. It is only something – it is my new dress –
    Rank: what? Your dress is lying there.
    Nora: Oh, yes, that one: but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn’t know about it –
    Rank: Oho! Then was the great secret.
    Nora: Of course. Just go in to him: he is sitting in the inner room. Keep him as long as –
    Rank: Make our mind easy; I won’t let him escape (goes into HELMER’S room)
    Nora: (to the MAID) And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
    Maid: Yes; he came up the back stairs.
    Nora: But didn’t you tell him no one was in?
    Maid: Yes, but it was no good.
    Nora: He won’t go away?
    Maid: No; he says he won’t until he has seen you, ma’am.
    Nora: Well, let him come in – but quietly. Helen you mustn’t say anything about it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband.
    Maid: Yes, ma’am, I quite understand. (exit)
    Nora: This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can’t happen – it shan’t happen!

    Questions
    1. Place this excerpt in its immediate context (4marks)
    2. Identify and illustrate the character trait of the following characters (4 marks)
      1. Rank
      2. Nora
    3. Who is in the kitchen and why has he come? (3marks)
    4. Identify and illustrate the dominant theme in the excerpt. (2marks)
    5. “……… being with Torvald is a little like being with papa” what does Nora mean by this statement?   (2marks)
    6. Explain an incidence of dramatic irony from the excerpt. (2marks)
    7. Why is Nora quick to usher Dr. Rank out of the room? (2 marks)
    8. “This dreadful thing is going to happen. “Rewrite in reported speech. (1mark)
    9. Explain the dreadful thing that Nora fears might happen? (2 marks)
    10. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
      1. Make your mind easy
      2. won’t let him escape
      3. it was no good
  3. ORAL LITERATURE
    The Man, His Son and The Squirrel

    There was a certain town whose only occupation was catching squirrels (ground squirrels). There was a man in this town who excelled at catching squirrels. One squirrel was so smart that it eluded everyone in town. It was said that only this man said to his son, “Come, let’s go to catch the squirrel.” They took an axe; they found the squirrel near its hole. Then the squirrel ran and entered its hole. They searched out all the holes, then they stopped them up. Then the man said to his son, “Don’t let the quirrel get out of its hole.” He answered, “Okay.” But one hole wasn’t stopped up, and the squirrel escaped. When it escaped, the father came to his son and said to him, “Why did you let it escape? If I go home now, I will beashmed.” He grabbed the axe and struck his son. Then he went on his way and left his son unconscious. Ants began to fill his eyeballs an his ears; vultures were circling above him.

    In the afternnon, the headman of a rich caravan arrived at the spot. When he arrived, he setp up camp. Then he got up and went for a stroll and saw the boy. He called his slaves to take him and have him washed and shaved. The boy recovered. The headman had no offspring. When he took the boy, he decided that he would make him his son. He sent a message to the chief of the town, telling him that he had an offspring, that he was happy he had become a complete man, and that he would now receive the gifts due to him.

    The chief said, “This is a lie. He is not his son. If he is his son, then let him come that I can see.” Then the headman arrived in town. The chief gave his sons horses worth ten pounds. He said, “Go and join the son of the headman. Have a race. When you finish give these horses away” (forcing him to do the same). They did it and they returned. the next day, the chief again gave them horses worth ten pounds. They did as the day before. They did it five times. They ran out of horses. Then the chief said, “Indeed, it is his son I have run out of horses. If it weren’t his son, he wouldn’t agree to let him give his own horses away to match the presents.” Then the chief summoned his daughter. The Gralladima brought his to help. The Madaki also gave, and the Makama gave. Altogether, four wives. The chief gave a big house. The headman came and brought twenty concubines and gave to his son. There was continuous feasting.

    Then one day the son saw his father, the one who had knocked him down with the axe because of the squirrels. The father came to the house of his son and said, “Throw away your gown and start catching squirrels.” The slaves of the headman said, “This is a crazy man, let us all strike him.” The boy said to him, “This is my father, the one who sired me.” The headman said, “I have already lied to the chief. Let us keep that secret. I will give your father wealth. Let him go home. Should he want to see you, let him come to visit you. If you want to see him, then you can go and visit him.” The real father said he did not agree. Then the headman said, “Well then, let us go out in the countryside.” They went. The headman unsheathed his sword. He handed it to the son, and said, “Kill one of the two of us.” Here ends the story.

    Questions
    1.  
      1. Classify the above narrative. (1 mark)
      2. What are the characteristics of the above classification? (2 marks)
      3. What is the function of this narrative? (1 mark)
    2. Identify and illustrate any three features of oral narrative evident in the story. (6 marks)
    3. Give one economic activity that is undertaken by the community referred to in this narrative. (2 marks)
    4. Describe the character of the following:
      1. The young man (2 marks)
      2. His father (2 marks)
    5. Whom do your think would be the most appropriate audience of this story. (2 marks)
    6. What is the moral lesson of this narrative? (2 marks)
  4. GRAMMAR
    1. Rewrite the following sentences as instructed: (4marks)
      1. He ran away. He shouted as he ran. (Rewrite to end ……. Shouting)
      2. Wanga wrote an article. He posted it on the website. (Join the sentence to begin: Having….)
      3. Those men have messed up our lives. (Change into passive)
      4. She asked me who I was. (Change into direct speech).
    2. Rewrite the following sentences correcting the errors.
      1. There are situations of which you need to act with speed or else the consequences will catch up with you. (1 mark)
      2. She likes football as it is more superior than hockey. (1 mark)
    3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositions.
      1. He was charged ……………….forging property inheritance document. (1 mark)
      2. Kamau deals ………………………..groceries. (1 mark)
    4. Rewrite the sentences below replacing the word in bold with a phrasal verb formed from the word given in bracket. (3marks)
      1. They terminated the engagement. (break)
      2. Parents are advised to rear their children well. (bring)
      3. After breaking into the shop, the burglars stole the loot. (made)
    5. Underline adjectival clauses in the following sentences. (3Marks)
      1. I met the woman who lives next to Mariah.
      2. The house which was demolished last year has been rebuilt by well-wishers.
      3. These are the books that the government supplied to public schools.
    6. Fill in the blank space with a suitable article. (1 marks)
      1. He planted …………….eucalyptus tree behind …………..….grandmother’s house.
      2. ……………..…umbrella can protect us from …………………..sun rays.


MARKING SCHEME

  1. COMPREHENSION PASSAGE (20marks)
    1. What is the negative side of America’s long tradition of creativity? (2marks)
      • In policy matters, Americans sometimes come up with solutions and then look for problems on which to test them.
    2. “Woe unto you if you are a loser.” What does the author mean by this statement? (2marks)
      • You are doomed to suffer because you have no say and will get no respect from the winners.
    3. Identify and explain an instance of irony in this passage. (3marks)
      • Not so long ago, Islamic party won a clear and convincing victory in a free and fair election in Algeria but it was never allowed to assume power. The man called elections is fated in same quarters that now preach democracy.
    4. What is the author’s attitude towards the Americans? Give reasons for your answer. (2marks)
      • The author is contemptuous towards the Americans. He says chest thumping is a hallmark of American character they like hyping about perceived victories from on modesty.
    5. ‘...and the losers are Neanderthals…’ explain how the Neanderthals became losers according to this passage. (2marks)
      • Neanderthals are the insurgents who threatened to wreak havoc on Election Day in Iraq but they were thwarted and elections went on with a high turnout.
    6. What according to the passage is referred to as spinning? (2marks)
      • Spinning refers to using words and other symbols amplified by the media to paint a picture of anything and everything in a light favorable to the presenter’s side.
    7. Identify one American policy discussed in this passage. (2marks)
      • To force-feed democracy to recalcitrant societies.
    8. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. (5marks)
      1. Ingenuity cleverness and skill, originality of design
      2. Hallmark distinguished characteristic
      3. Engulfed surrounded/ covered something completely
      4. Humongous very big
      5. Invariably always
  2. QUESTION TWO
    1.  
      • Before
        Dr Rank tells Nora that he has always felt love for her
        Nora tells him that she only thinks of him as a close family companion and not a lover.
      • After
        The maid opens the door for Krogstad to come in
        Krogstad has just received his dismissal letter from the bank
        He comes to enquire why Nora did not prevent his dismissal.
    2.  
      1. RANK
        • Keen / observant (1mark) he quickly notices Nora’s behavior change once she receives the card from the maid and enquires what is wrong with her.(1mark)
        • Loyal/concerned (1mark) he promises to keep Helmer Company for as long as Nora wishes.
      2. NORA
        • Secretive (1 mark) - she lies about the card to Dr. Rank
          She lies about Krogstad to the maid
    3. it is Krogstad (1 mark)
      • He has received his dismissal from the bank (1 mark)
      • He wants to enquire from Nora why she couldn’t prevent his dismissal.
    4. Deception: Nora doest want Dr. Rank to know about Krogstad’s visit, she also lies to the maid that they’re planning a surprise for Helmer when Krogstad visits.
    5. That both Helmer and her father were domineering/ patronizing eg she was never free to express herself both at her father’s place and at Helmer’s place.
    6. The readers know that Nora has received a card from the maid but Dr. Rank doesn’t know about the card.
    7. Because she wants some time alone with Krogstad/ whatever she wants to discuss with Krogstad is secretive. / she doesn’t want Dr. Rank to know of Krogstad’s presence.
    8. Nora said that that dreadful thing was going to happen.
    9. That her husband will discover of her crime of forgery from Krogstad.
    10.  
      1. Relax
      2. It will keep him busy
      3. It was useless
  3. ORAL LITERATURE
    1.  
      1. Dilemma narrative – The young man was asked to kill his father or the headman.
        Identification + illustration = 1 mark
      2.  
        • It presents the audience with a dilemma.
        • It involves situations that require passing judgment on ethical or moral grounds.
        • The story ends with the narrator posing a question to be debated by the listeners.
          Any 2 x 1 = 2
      3. Educates / cultivates critical and sound judgment among listeners.
    2.  
      • Opening formular – “There was a certain town…”
      • Closing formular – ‘Here ends the story’
      • Dialogue – ‘This man said to his son, ‘Come let us go and catch the squirrel’
      • Fantasy
      • Timelessness
      • Repetition
      • Hunting
        3 features + illus = 6 mks
    3.  
      • Livestock keeping – The chief gave his sons horses worth ten pounds
      • Slavery – He called his slaves to take him and have him washed and shaved.
        Identify + illust = 2 marks
      • Blacksmithing – axe
    4.  
      1. Loving / Caring – He did not want the slaves of the headman to strike his father.
        Obedient
        Identify + illust = 2 marks
      2.  
        • Hot tempered – When the squirrel escaped, he became angry and struck his son with an axe.
        • Ruthless – inhumane
        • Selfish – irresponsible / youth\
          Identification + illust -= 2 marks
    5. The most appropriate audience of this story is children. This is because, as they grow up, they will know how to handle difficult situations in life.
    6. We should learn to forgive.
  4. QUESTION FOUR GRAMMAR
    1. Rewrite the following sentences as instructed:
      1. He ran away shouting.
      2. Having written an article, Wanga posted it on the website (no mark without comma)
      3. Our lives have been messed up by those men.
      4. “Who are you?” she asked.
    2. Rewrite the following sentences correcting the errors.
      1. There are situations in which you need to act with speed or else the consequences will catch up with you.
        1 x 1 = 1
      2. She likes football as it is superior to hockey. 1 x 1 = 1
    3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositions.
      1. He was charged with forging property inheritance document. 1 x 1 = 1
      2. Kamau deals in groceries. 1 x 1 = 1
    4. In each of the sentences below, replace the underlined word with a phrasal verb with the same meaning. (3marks)
      1. They terminated the engagement.
        • They broke up the engagement.
      2. Parents are advised to rear their children well.
        • Parents are advised to bring up their children well.
      3. After breaking into the shop, the burglars stole the loot.
        • After breaking into the shop, the burglars made off with/took off with the loot.
    5. Underline adjectival clauses in the following sentences.(3Marks)
      1. I met the woman who lives next to Mariah.
      2. The house which was demolished last year has been rebuilt by well-wishers.
      3. These are the books that the government supplied to public schools.
    6. Fill in the blank space with a suitable article. (1 marks)
      1. He planted ……a…...eucalyptus tree behind …...the…...grandmother’s house.
      2. …..An…umbrella can protect us from …the…..sun rays.
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