ENGLISH PAPER 2 - KCSE 2019 JOINT PRE MOCK EXAMINATION NAMBALE

Share via Whatsapp
  1. Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)

    The question is at least as old as Socrates: If we know what the right thing to do is, why do we not do it? It is an especially acute question when applied to global warming. The science showing that carbon dioxide emissions are already changing the planet’s climate, and are likely to have severe effects (melting ice caps, sea-level rise, and species extinction), is compelling and now barely disputed. Almost 90% of Europeans say they recognize climate change as a major issue, and 75% identify fossil fuel emissions as a major cause.

    And yet, as was widely discussed at a conference of environmentalists, geologists and writers in May 2006 in Ankelohe, Germany, public understanding has not translated into even the simplest of public actions. Less than 1% of Britons, for example, have switched their home electricity to renewable sources, even though it requires little more than a phone call to one’s existing provider. Proportions on the continent are slightly higher, but there is clearly no rush to go green or — shudder — stop driving cars.

    Why such a disconnect between information and action? Part of the problem is that environmental advocates emit mixed messages. In mid-May 2006, Britain’s Guardian published a front-page story showing that five companies in Britain produce more CO2 pollution in a year than all the country’s motorists combined. That is a strong argument for targeting industries, but the average reader could hardly be blamed for thinking, “Why should I bother to cut down my driving?”

    Similarly, not enough thought has been devoted to the best role for government. Climate change is too vast a problem for individuals to solve alone, and some big businesses have an incentive not to solve it. That leaves government to take the lead, which is tricky, because over-reliance on government can allow individuals to fob off their own responsibilities. What is worse, government power seems to tickle autocratic fantasies. In my experience, environmentalists spend far too much energy advocating hard-line government ‘solutions’ that do not stand a chance of being enacted. Sure, it might be good for the planet if governments banned the use of sports-utility vehicles or, for that matter, of all fossil fuels. Yet not only is it hard to sell outright prohibitions to voters, but the sad truth is that governments have a woeful record in even the mildest interventions. One of the most significant innovations in the last decade has been Europe’s carbon-emission trading scheme: some 12 000 companies, responsible for more than half of the EU’s emissions, have been assigned quotas. Companies with unused allowances can sell them; the higher the price, the greater the incentive for firms to cut their use of fossil fuels. The system seemed to work for about a year — but now it turns out that Europe’s governments allocated far too many credits, which will likely hinder the program’s effectiveness for years.

    Perhaps the real reason that well-intentioned consumers do not change is that they do not see any benefit. Climate change may be a frightening, irreversible calamity, but its worst effects will not be felt next week or next year. The planet looks the same regardless of whether we use environmentally friendly technology or we do not care how much CO2 we emit. But sure as the sun rises and sets every day, if we do not cut down on carbon emissions, then we may not have a planet to hand over to the next generation.

    (Adapted from Times, June 5, 2006)
    1. According to the passage, what are the effects of global warming? (4 marks)
    2. What, according to the passage, is the main cause of global warming?(2 marks)
    3. How does Britain encourage people to use renewable electricity? (3 marks)
    4. Paraphrase the following sentence: That is a strong argument for targeting industries, but the average reader could hardly be blamed for thinking, ‘Why should I bother to cut down my driving?’ (4 marks)
    5. What message does the writer communicate in this passage? (4 marks)
    6. Explain the meaning of the following words and expression as used in the passage.(4 marks)
      1. fob off
      2. incentive
      3. calamity
      4. vast

  2. Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. (25 marks)

    Nora:  It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can.
    Helmer:(laughing)That’s very true, - all you can. But you can’t save anything!
    Nora:  (smiling quietly and happily)You haven’t any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.
    Helmer: You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and as soon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood: for indeed it is true that you can inherit these things, Nora.
    Nora: Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa’s qualities.
    Helmer:And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my little skylark. But do you know, it strikes me that you are looking-rather—what shall I say- rather uneasy today?
    Nora: Do I?
    Helmer: You do, really. Look straight at me.
    Nora : ( looks at him) well?
    Helmer: (wagging his finger at her) Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?
    Nora:  No; what makes you think that?
    Helmer: Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s?
    Nora:  No, I assure you, Torvald-
    Helmer: Not been nibbling sweets?
    Nora:  No, certainly not.
    Helmer: Not even take a bite at a macaroon or two?
    Nora: (going to the table on the right) I shouldn’t think of going against your wishes.
    Helmer: No, I am sure of that: besides, you gave me your word- (Going up to her) Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will be revealed tonight when the Christmas tree is lit, no doubt.
    Nora: Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?
    Helmer: No. But there is no need; as a matter of course, he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward to this evening.
    Nora: So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!
    Helmer: It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It is delightful to think of, isn’t it?
    Nora: It’s wonderful!

    1. Place this extract in its immediate context. (4 marks)
    2. Explain the dramatic irony in this extract. (3marks)
    3. Helmer says here, “it is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment”. What is he referring to? (1 mark)
    4. What issues on money and gender emerge in this extract? (4 marks)
    5. Identify and illustrate any two ways the playwright has used language to achieve foregrounding in this extract. (4 marks)
    6. What do we learn about the character of Nora in this extract? (4 marks)
    7. Imagine you are directing this play. Which quality would you look for in an actor to play the role of Torvald? (2marks)
    8. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the extract? (3 marks)
      1. Wheedling money out of me
      2. Confectioner’s
      3. You gave me your word
  1. Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)

    No coffin, no grave    by Jared Angira
    He was buried without a coffin
    Without a grave
    The scavengers performed the post-mortem
    In the open mortuary
    Without sterilized knives
    In front of the night club
    Stuttering rifles put up
    The gun salute of the day
    That was a state burial anyway
    The car knelt
    The red plate wept, wrapped itself in blood its master’s
    The diary revealed to the sea
    The rain anchored there at last
    Isn’t our flag red, black and white?
    So he wrapped himself well
    Who could signal yellow
    When we had to leave politics to the experts
    And brood on books
    Brood on hunger
    And schoolgirls
    Grumble under the black pot
    Sleep under torn mosquito net
    And let lice lick our intestines
    The lord of the bar, money speaks madam
    Woman magnet, money speaks madam
    We only cover the stinking darkness of the cave of our mouths
    And ask our father who is in hell to judge him
    The quick and the good.
    Well, his diary, submarine of the Third World War
    Showed he wished
    To be buried in a gold-laden coffin
    Like a VIP
    Under the jacaranda tree beside his palace
    A shelter for his grave
    And much beer for the funeral party
    Anyway one noisy pupil suggested we bring
    Tractors and plough the land.
    (From Poems from East Africa, D. Cook andD. Rubadiri (Eds,): East African EducationalPublishers)
    1. Briefly explain what this poem is about. (3 marks)
    2. Explain the use of onomatopoeia in the poem. (2 marks)
    3. Identify and explain the tone of the poem. (4 marks)
    4. Comment on the central theme of the poem. (3 marks)
    5. Explain the meaning of the following lines:
      1. who could signal yellow(2 marks)
      2. submarine of the Third World War
    6. How else can people bring change in society without assassinating politicians? (2mks)
    7. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the poem
      1. Anchored (1mk)
      2. Brood (1mk)
  2. Grammar (15 Marks)
    1. Complete the following sentences by choosing the appropriate expressions tofill the gaps. (3marks)
      1. Although Nduati is a great friend of mine, I …….him on a few important issues. (differ to, differ with)
      2. As good citizens, we must all pay our taxes …….the policy. (in accordance to, in accordance with)
      3. She chose her career ….(independent of, independent to )her father’s influence.
    2. Rewrite the sentences below according to the instructions given after each. (3marks)
      1. My father would not allow us to attend night parties under any circumstances.
        (Begin: Under no circumstances ….)
      2. Strangers should not be allowed into the compound without the security officer’s permission. (Begin: On no account……)
      3. The plane had just taken off when one of the passengers began to scream.
        (Begin: Scarcely ….)
    3. Rewrite the following sentences avoiding repetition.   (2 marks)
      1. Always be frank and open with your friends. When you are frank and open to your friends, you willwin your friends trust and confidence.
      2. Help yourself to some oranges. These oranges are sweet but those oranges are sweeter.
    4. Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by making one of them a relative clause. (2 marks)
      1. Kasoha joined our school this term. She is very good at grammar.
      2. The generator had been on the whole night. It broke down in the morning.
    5. Add an appropriate question tag to each of the following statements.(3marks)
      1. They aren’t serious.
      2. He bought a new house last month.
      3. Let us go.
    6. Fill in the gapsusing the present perfect form of the verbs in brackets. (2 marks)
      1. I ……(visit) many places.
      2. My wife ……(join) me in most of these trips.


MARKING SCHEME

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

  1. The effects of global warming are melting ice caps, rising sea levels, species extinction and climatic change. (4 marks)
  2. The main cause of global warming, according to the passage, is fossil fuel emissions as cited by 75% of Europeans.(2 marks)
  3. Britain encourages people to use renewable electricity by making it very easy for people to switch to renewable sources; it requires little more than a phone call. (2 marks)
  4. An ordinary reader would not be blamed for wondering why he or she has to reduce on driving while industries continue to emit a lot of CO2. (4 marks)
  5. The writer communicates the message that, while pollution is a life-threatening issue, the approaches to resolving it are ineffective. (4 marks)
  6.  
    1. fob off — to avoid/make excuses
    2. Incentive — a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something
    3. Calamity — an event that causes great damage          
    4. Vast – extremely large/huge/widely spread (4 marks)

QUESTION 2: EXCERPT (25 MARKS)

  1. Before the extract;
    Nora has spent all the money she was given for shopping.
    Her husband Helmer considers her a spendthrift.
    However, he promises to add her more money.
    Nora requests to be given a chance to buy what she needs most.

    After the extract;
    Helmer reminds Nora of how she overworked herself prior to the past Christmas to have a homemade Christmas tree.
    Nora however says she didn’t find it dull/boring.
    Helmer praises her of her good intentions.
  2. The dramatic irony in the extract is in Nora’s denial, that she hasn’t been at the confectioner’s, yet she is hiding macaroons in her pocket; something we the audience know of but Helmer isn’t aware of.
  3. The high job security resulting from the promotion she has gotten.
  4. Issues on money and gender:
    • That women can’t save money because they are spendthrifts
    • That women have very many expenses unknown to men/their husbands.
    • That women are subordinate to men and must do everything not to offend them including obeying their orders.
    • That women can only but be compared to children hence the terms skylarks, squirrels, little soul etc.
  5. -The names by which Helmer refers to his wife foregrounds Patriarchy in the society; the belittled position of women in the society hence the terms such as skylark, squirrel, little soul.
    -Helmer also uses language that foregrounds women as poor financial managers and spendthrifts. He refers to Nora as Miss Sweet Tooth and complains of Nora wheedling money out of him, visiting the confectioner’s and nibbling sweets.
  6. Nora is:
    -Insincere-She denies nibbling sweets and being at confectioner’s yet she is hiding macaroons in her pocket.
    -Convincing- She always finds a way of wheedling money out of her husband.
    N/B: Award any other well illustrated trait. 1 mk id. & 1 mk ill. For 2 traits = 4 mks
  7.  Torvald must be:
    1. Observant – He keenly observes the behavior exhibited by Nora and suspects she has macaroons.
    2. Domineering- Torvald wants to control Nora without considering her feelings. He even sarcastically says this when Nora claims she saves all she can: “That’s very true,- all you can. But you can’t save anything!”
      N/B: Award any other well illustrated point: 2mks x 1 point= 2 mks.

QUESTION 3: LITERARY APPRECIATION(20 MARKS)

  1. The poem is about the death of a ruler, who is a traitor. The ruler who is assassinated outside a night club, and his body is left to be devoured by vultures. His diary is washed into the sea by rain. and when it is found it reveals who the ruler was and his desire to be buried in a dignified, grand funeral.                    (3 marks)
  2. The words stuttering rifles are onomatopoeic. They describe the sound of bullets flying from the rifles of the assassins. (2 marks)
  3. The tone of the poem is satirical/sarcastic. The poem is satirical about the arroganceof the politician who is very selfish and has no regard for other people. The poem satirizes the politicians desire for a lavish funeral but dies in very humiliating conditions.(4 marks)
  4. The central theme of the poem is betrayal and The politician has no regard for the downtrodden and poor people in the country, whose interests he should be serving. He uses his money to buy cheap pleasure instead of engaging in constructive activities. Change is represented by the assassination and at the end of the poem a pupil suggests that they bring tractors to plough the land; which represents a major change.(3 marks)
  5.  
    1. Yellow is not a colour of the national flag of Kenya. The poet is asking who could contradict the politician who claimed to be the expert while the common citizens are cursed to brood on books, think about schoolgirls and hunger, and sleep hungry under torn mosquito nets.(2 marks)
    2. The possible meanings of this line are
      • first, it could literally mean that his diary was a submarine because it was found in the sea;
      • secondly, it could mean that the ideas he had written in the diary were highly destructive and irresponsible, to the extent that they could lead to the Third World War.(2 marks)
  6. This is an open question. Award marks for well thought out alternatives, for example civic education and electing responsible leaders who have integrity. (2marks)
    1. anchored — secured or held firmly (1mark)
    2. brood — think or worry about            (1mark)

QUESTION 4: GRAMMAR

  1.  
    1. differ with
    2. in accordance with
    3. independent of
  2.  
    1. Under no circumstances would my father allow us to attend night parties.
    2. On no account should strangers be allowed into the compound without the security officer’s permission.
    3. Scarcely had the plane taken off when one of the passengers began to scream
  3.  
    1. Always be frank and open with your friends.When you are, you will win their trust and confidence.
    2. Help yourself to some oranges. These ones are sweet but those are sweeter.
  4.  
    1. Kasoha, who is very good at grammar, joined our school this term.
    2. The generator, which had been on the whole night, broke down in the morning.
  5.  
    1. They aren’t serious, are they?
    2. He bought a new house last month, didn’the?
    3. Let us go, shall we?
  6.  
    1. have visited
    2. has joined
Join our whatsapp group for latest updates

Download ENGLISH PAPER 2 - KCSE 2019 JOINT PRE MOCK EXAMINATION NAMBALE.


Tap Here to Download for 50/-




Why download?

  • ✔ To read offline at any time.
  • ✔ To Print at your convenience
  • ✔ Share Easily with Friends / Students


Get on WhatsApp Download as PDF
.
Subscribe now

access all the content at an affordable rate
or
Buy any individual paper or notes as a pdf via MPESA
and get it sent to you via WhatsApp

 

What does our community say about us?

Join our community on:

  • easyelimu app
  • Telegram
  • facebook page
  • twitter page
  • Pinterest