English - KCPE 2021 Prediction Set 1 (Questions and Answers)

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces 1-15. Choose the best answer from the choices given.

Recent fire ___1___ mostly in Nairobi, have brought back the endless debate ___2___ Kenyans disaster preparedness. Since the year ___2___ the Kenya National Disaster Operational Centre, says that there have been several fire related cases which have destroyed close to thousands of household ___4___. The organisation ___5___ coordinates response to disaster confirmed the above.

The Kenya Red Cross _6_ the other hand has documented ___7___ fires in the Nairobi suburbs alone. ____8____, the body's regional disaster revealed to the media that the number could be ___9___ because fires that the immediate community manages to ____10____are never reported, as are their damages.

This month alone, ____11____ houses in Watewa area and Kapiti plains have gone up in smoke. The ____12____ case has happened twice leaving in ____13____ wake two fatalities. Upendo neighbourhood is another on the list of the ____14____. Yet quite ____15___, people are quick to fault electrical systems. So, what is our level of fighting fires?

For questions 16 and 17, choose the correctly punctuated sentence

16. A. Mwatha asked me if I had bought lunch.
    B. Mwatha asked, have you bought lunch?.
    C. Mwatha asked me "If I had bought lunch?.
    D. Mwatha asked me whether bought lunch.
17. A. "Whose pen is this"? he asked.
    B. Its a cold day today.
    C. Peter and I are good friends.
    D. The dog ran into it's kennel.

For questions 18 and 19 choose the correct question tag to complete

18. Let's write neatly, ____?
    A. isn't it
    B. would we
    C. shall we                         
    D. is it
19. Everybody must be responsible,_______?
    A. must they
    B. must'nt they
    C. must not                        
    D. mustn't they

For questions 20 and 21, complete with a suitable ending.

20. Jayden doesn't like sweets
    A. either do I
    B. neither do I
    C. and so am I                    
    D. neither don't I
21. Waihuini likes bananas,
    A. do I so
    B. I so do
    C. so do I                           
    D. me two

For question 22 and 23, choose the word which means the same as the underlined word.

22. Our spelling drill team beat all the other teams.
    A. won
    B. overcome
    C. defeated                       
    D. humiliated
23. The meeting has been deferred due to unavoidable circumstances
    A. brought forward
    B. cancelled
    C. postponed                     
    D. held

For questions 24 and 25, choose the correct word to replace the underlined words.

24. My uncle deals in scrap metal.
    A. tackles
    B. smuggles
    C. herds                             
    D. buys and sells
25. Our vehicle broke down and stalled halfway into the journey
    A. collapsed
    B. fainted
    C. lost consciousness         
    D. failed

Read the passage and answer questions 26-38.

It is clear that most of our politicians are not pursuing the public interest and need to be checked. That is why Kenyans should keep close watch and ensure that the new constitution is implemented fully. They must say "NO" in word and deed, to anyone who is trying to sabotage the process. Most importantly, the commission must lead and ensure timely proper implementation of the new laws. It must use its authority boldly to ensure that the progress remains on track. It must safeguard the interest of Kenyans and rid the process of confusion and partisan grandstanding

The youth also have a key role to play here as an agent of change. They should come out as a civic voice. The new laws hold a bright future for young people. Therefore, their involvement and that of other civil society groups is paramount. Young people must be at the forefront in opposing any attempt by the politicians to sabotage the implementation of the new constitution. As young people we have the responsibility to push for the realization of the new laws and ensure the change that Kenyans voted for in the referendum is realised. Young people voted overwhelmingly for the new constitution. By doing so, they demonstrated that they were tired of the old order and wanted change. Most Kenyans believe that the new constitution will provide an opportunity for them to forge a better future together if properly implemented, the new constitution provides an opportunity to fight corruption, impunity, ethnicity and poverty which for years have impeded our growth and development.

It should not be lost on us that the process of implementing the new constitution is not the reserve of politicians and parliamentary committees. Kenyans must not relinquish their role and allow the politicians to control the process. Kenyan politicians have vested interest that threaten public good, therefore they cannot be trusted to be committed to the entrenchment of the culture of constitutionalism. A significant number of politicians are beneficiaries of the old order and are afraid that the new constitution dispensation will rob them of the privileges they enjoy.

They must not be given a free hand to cause confusion and derail the implementation of the new constitution. Indeed, members of parliament need to realise that they are the people's agents and must therefore do a good job. Politicians have a responsibility to carry out the wishes of their bosses - the citizens. Kenyans want to enjoy the fruits of the new constitution they chose.

26. From the first sentence, it is clear that most politicians
    A. are selfish
    B. are seeking the public interest
    C. are keeping close watch to the public
    D. are active in public
27. The words 'need to be checked' means
    A. the constitution needs to be checked
    B. Kenyans need to be keen on actions of politicians
    C. Kenyans need to be aware of the old constitution
    D. the politicians should be aware of public actions
28. The word "sabotage' as used in the passage means?
    A. addressing the process
    B. deliberately spoiling
    C. implementing fully
    D. watch carefully
29. Which one of the following is to lead in the implementation of the new laws?
    A. Politicians
    B. The constitution
    C. The commission            
    D. The public
30. Three of the following could interfere with the process of implementing the new laws except:
    partisan grandstanding
    B. confusion of parliamentarians
    C. safeguarding it by the public
    D. sabotage by the leaders
31. Who are the beneficiaries of the full implementation of the new constitution as mentioned in the third paragraph?
    A. Civil society groups
    B. Youth
    C. Parliamentarians
    D. Agents
32. Who among the following voted in large numbers for the new constitution according to the passage?
    A. Politicians
    B. Public
    C. The youth                     
    D. Civil society
33. Three of the following can be trusted with the implementation of the new constitution except?
    A. Politicians
    B. Civil Society
    C. Youth                           
    D. Public
34. Who among the following are reterred to as the people's agents?
    A. Youth
    B. Parliamentarians
    C. Civil society                  
    D. The government
35. The new constitution will help us fight three of the following EXCEPT
    A. inequality
    B. sabotage
    C. impunity                       
    D. poverty
36. The words overwhelmingly as used in the passage means
    A. quickly
    B. full implementation
    C. in large numbers
    D. sparingly
37. From the passage choosing the new constitution may be referred to as
    constitutionalism
    B. constitutional dispensation
    C. constitutional implementation
    D. referendum
38. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
    The politicians
    B. The Kenyan laws
    C. The Constitution Implementation
    D. The Constitution process

Read the following passage carefully and then answer questions 39-50.

A recent expose about a slum in Mombasa whose residents have been exposed to lead poisoning shocked the nation. According to the investigative piece, effluent from a metal refinery in the slums is likely to have affected thousands of people.

Lead is a highly toxic metal which if ingested or inhaled even in small amounts, can cause serious health problems to both children and adults. Children, especially those under six years, are more vulnerable because it leads to slow growth and learning difficulties.

Lead poisoning occurs when the metal builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years. Once in the system, lead is deposited in the bones and teeth. The main sources of lead poisoning are occupational, hobbies and environmental. Occupational exposure comes from construction, steel welding, bridge reconstruction workers, firing range instructors and cleaners, painters, scrap metal recyclers, auto repairers and cable handlers.

Hobbies such as casting bullets or target shooting at firing ranges, lead soldering, auto repair, stained glass making, glazed pottery making and ceramic ware. Lead exposure can occur through inhalation of fumes or dust that is laden with lead residue. Lead can also be ingested through contaminated hands, food, water, clothing and even cigarettes. There are some simple precautions that one can take to protect against lead exposure.

As employers, be responsible for the safety of your workers. As an individual or worker, know contractual arrangement and responsibilities towards your own health. Frequent testing is necessary for those whose occupation may expose them to lead.

Where lead poisoning has been diagnosed the immediate course of action is to discontinue exposure either through protective clothing or if it is a hazard then relocating from the source is a solution. Also don't forget that lead particles or dust can be brought into the home via work clothes and equipment. This is called "take home" lead and it can harm anyone who is exposed.

Avoid eating roadside food items as most of these foods are already exposed or contaminated with lead from the fumes from passing vehicles

39. Where was the expose according to the first sentence? In a
    A. city
    B. town
    C. shanty                           
    D villages
40. What shocked the nation?
    A. poisoning
    B. lead emission
    C. unusual poisoning          
    D. a metal refinery
41. The cause of the problem might have been
    A. effluent from a metal refinery
    B. dirt in the slurs
    C. ingesting dirty food
    D. hobbies like casting bullets
42. According to the passage when can lead be poisonous?
    A. when eaten in small amounts
    B. when touched in small amounts
    C. when used in small amounts
    D. when sprayed in small amounts
43. How does lead affect children under six years?
    A. It leads to stunted growth and learning difficulties
    B. It leads to learning difficulties only
    C. It leads to weak bones
    D. It leads to weak teeth
44. Which part of the body is the lead poison deposited?
    A. tongue
    B. bones
    C. skin                               
    D. eyes
45. Which of the following is an environmental source of lead poisoning?
    A. Pottery making
    B. Painters
    C. Dust full of lead fumes   
    D. Auto-repair
46. The writer advises the following to employees except?
    A. frequent testing
    B. Be responsible for one's health
    C. Discontinue exposure
    D. Avoid vehicles
47. The phrase 'take home' as used in the passage implies that
    A. One can carry the poison back home via their clothes
    B. some gifts employees carry home
    C. contaminated foods that we entry home
    D. the equipment we use at home is poisonous
48. "... If it is a hazard, then relocating from the source is a solution means
    A. to move to a new place
    B. to change clothes
    C. to change eating habits by avoiding roadside foods
    D. to be responsible
49. The synonym for the word 'via' as used in the passage is
    A. by
    B. with
    C. through                         
    D. together
50. The best proverb to summarise the passage above would be
    A. Still waters run deep
    B. Prevention is better than cure
    C. Once bitten twice shy
    D. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush

COMPOSITION

Below is an ending of a story. Complete it in your own words and make it as interesting as possible.

.......... I learnt that truly hard work pays.

ANSWERS