English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - MECS Pre Mock Exams 2023

Instructions to the candidates.

1. Ensure you write your name, admission number and class in the spaces provided above.
2. All questions in this paper are compulsory.
3. Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.

For Official use only

QUESTIONS

COMPREHENSION (20 MARKS)
Read the comprehension below and answer the questions that follow

People must be careful the kind of personal information they post on sites. It is difficult to imagine life in what seems like a century ago without the internet and the cell phone. Just how did we manage our lives before the age of instant communication at a fraction of the cost of the landline?
As a little child in 1960s, I could not visualize what my teenage sons do with technology today.

Could I have even dreamt of a cell phone, a device that I could have taken to school with me and been able to chat with my friends wherever I was and whenever I wanted? You know the answer. However, today’s heaven of instant communication can easily turn into the hell of deadly sin. I mean quite literally.

Instant communication devices and portable entertainment products could of course be addictive to anybody, but such addiction can be particularly destructive to young people in school. They can distract students from homework and house chores. They can also damage ear drums. Think of the ubiquitous iPod which the youth equate to oxygen without which life is unsuitable!

I have even seen some grown men behaving like teenagers with iPods! Last year, a person was killed by a vehicle that spun out of control and hit him as he crossed the road somewhere in the United States. The footage showed clearly that the victim could have heard or seen the rogue vehicle had his ears not been plugged up to loud music.

While I do not want to sound like a Neanderthal, I nevertheless would like to reflect on the perils of this new gadgetry and technology. The first obvious point is that not all technology is good. Think of the A-Bomb for example, and you get my point.

I disagree with those who argue that it is not technology that is bad, but the users who misapply it. This is how some scientists justify their abdication of social responsibility. Thus we do not have to buy every little silly gadget that market puts out. Haven’t you noticed that the companies always time the release of these gadgets to Christmas, or some other consumer holiday? They surely know how to apply peer pressure and pit children against parents as a marketing tool. Sometimes I wonder whether capitalism can be any more devious!

To be sure I cannot gainsay the benefits of new technologies. The computer and the internet are without doubt the greatest inventions of our age. Information and knowledge that was inaccessible just several decades ago is now a click away even in the remotest village in the world. And it is all quite cheap. Access to information and knowledge is being democratized in a way that was unthinkable just a few decades ago. Think about the revolution of the cell phone for the individual communication and business transactions. Landlines are becoming virtually obsolete. It is this revolution that should lift millions out of poverty in the near future.

But these advances come with perilous clouds over them. I particularly, I want to focus on social networking sites and the dangers of the instant transmission of information and images. We have known for a long time that the internet is the new Wild West where everything goes.
Countries that are afraid of democracy and dissent, like China or Syria, limit, monitor, control, censure or deny access to the internet. They claim they must keep at bay pornography and sexual predators like pedophiles who troll the interment with demonic schemes. These are real problems, but do not think that censorship is the answer. Cyber surveillance by law enforcement and the prosecution of these malignant forces is the only effective and civilized response.

But individuals must themselves act responsibly. Ultimately, the pivot of any democracy responsible citizen action. This is where parents, civil society and the media come in. Take Face Book, the wildly popular social networking site, for example. Some of the things I have seen there are downright stupid, dangerous, malevolent or just plain crazy. Teenagers on these sites sometimes communicate with imposters bent on luring the naïve to a dead end. How many times have we seen reports of some sixty-year-old pervert posing as a teen? Even scarier, how many times have we read about such rendezvous ending in a fatality? There are other less deadly, but very destructive dangers. Prospective employers are increasingly looking into social networking sites for personal information about applicants. Even some colleges are snooping around for information about prospective students. There are reports that some people have been rejected because of the personal information they posted to the sites. Such information has ranged from lurid pictures to abusive language.

This means that young folks must be very careful about posting intimate details including personal pictures and other personal data such as birth dates, personal ID numbers and home address on such sites. Such information about yourself can only hurt you if displayed for the entire world to see. Teenagers need to be particularly careful about the new fad of “sexting”. This is an epidemic in New York among teenagers. Teens and other young people are sending nude pictures of themselves to their friends or lovers. A large number of such pictures have been shared widely beyond the intended audience. In one case, a child whose nude pictures were revealed took her own life. It can cause untold grief.

Questions

1. What does the writer find puzzling before the coming of technology? (2mks)
   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What is the purpose of a cell-phone? (2mks)
   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………
3. Make notes on the dangers of modern technology. (6mks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What is the attitude of the author towards modern technology? (2mks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………….…
5. How do scientists justify their innovations? (1mk)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. What is implied by the expression “perilous clouds” (2mks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Write the following sentence in indirect speech. (1mk)
   I wonder whether capitalism can be more devious!
   ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Explain the meaning of the following words; (4mks)
   1. Lurid
   2. Pivot
   3. Sexting
   4. Ubiquitous

2. EXERPT
Read the excerpt below then answer the questions that follow (25marks)
Nora: (begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from herself) If only I dared go out. If only no one would come. If only I could be sure nothing would happen here in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense! No one will come. Only I mustn’t think about it. I will brush my muff. What lovely, lovely gloves! Out of my thoughts, out of my thoughts! One, two, three, four, five, six- (screams) Ah! There is something coming - (makes a movement towards the door, but stands irresolute) (enter MRS. LINDE from the hall, where she has taken off her cloak and hat)

Nora: Oh, it’s you, Christine. There is no one else out there, is there? How good of you to come!

Mrs. Linde: I heard you were up asking for me.

Nora: Yes, I was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is something you could help me with. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Look here. Tomorrow evening there is a fancy-dress ball at the
Stenborgs’, who live above us; and Torvald wants me to go as a Neapolitan fisher girl, and dance theTarantella that I learned at Capri.

Mrs. Linde: I see; you are going to keep up the character.

Nora: Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald had it made for me there, but now it is all so torn, and I haven’t any idea—

Mrs. Linde: We will easily put that right. It is only some of the trimming come unsewn here and
there. Needle and thread? Now then, that’s all we want.

Nora: It is nice of you.

Mrs. Linde: (sewing) So you are going to be dressed up tomorrow Nora I will tell you what --

I shall come in for a moment and see you in your fine feathers. But I have completely forgotten to thank you for a delightful evening yesterday.
Nora: (gets up, and crosses the stage) Well, I don’t think yesterday was as pleasant as usual. You ought to have come to town a little earlier, Christine. Certainly Torvald does understand how to make a house dainty and attractive.

Mrs. Linde: And so do you, it seems to me; you are not your father’s daughter for nothing. But tell me, is Dr. Rank always as depressed as he was yesterday?

Nora: No; yesterday it was noticeable. I must tell you that he suffers from a dangerous disease. He has consumption of the spine, poor creature. His father was a horrible man who committed all sorts of excesses; and that is why his son was sickly from childhood, do you understand?

Mrs. Linde: (dropping her sewing) But, my dearest Nora, how do you know anything about such things?

Nora: (walking about) Pooh! When you have three children, you get visits now and then from---- from married women, who know something of medical matters, and they talk about one thing and another.

Mrs. Linde: (goes on sewing a short silence) Does Doctor Rank come here everyday?

Nora: Everyday regularly. He is Torvald’s most intimate friend and a great friend of mine too. He is just like one of the family.

Mrs. Linde: But tell me this-is he perfectly sincere? I mean, isn’t he the kind of man that
is very anxious to make himself agreeable?

Nora: Not in the least. What makes you think that?

Mrs. Linde: When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared he had often heard my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your husband hadn’t the slightest idea who I was.So how could Doctor Rank---?

Nora: That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fond of me that he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folk at home; so naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk about such things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.

Questions

1. Why does Nora look disturbed at the beginning of this excerpt? (3marks)
   ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Who brought the box that Nora is unpacking at the beginning of this excerpt and why did Nora want it? (2marks)
   ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. “Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald had it made for me there, but now it is all so torn, and I haven’t any idea-----“
   1. What does this reveal about the character of Nora? (2marks)
      .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
   2. From this statement, describe the relationship that exists between Nora and Torvald. (2marks)
      ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
   3. Identify and explain a stylistic device used in this statement. (2marks)
      ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Cite two things that indicate that Nora is lying about Dr. Rank’s sickness in this excerpt (2marks) ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5. Identify two themes evident in this excerpt. (4marks)
   ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
6. Basing your argument from elsewhere in the play, explain what else Mrs. Linde repairs and how? (3marks)
   ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
7. What tone does Nora adopt at the end of this excerpt? (2 marks)
   ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
8. Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt.
   1. Dainty
   2. Horrible
   3. make himself agreeable 

3. ORAL POETRY (20MKS)
Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. (20marks)
Adieu
It’s two months today
And the absence looks eternity
But the memories and experiences-still very fresh
Thought we’d have many more years
And so much more time together
I was wrong
But the last day laughers, dances, sharing…
Then the silence
The many tubes
The complex machines
The silent prayers and tears
And then the ambulance
At one in the night
Miles away from home
These…these shall be my keepsakes
You were my son
My friend
My love
Still you are and I wanted you to know that
Until that day we meet again, nind gi kue Thura
For I can’t forget about you yet
And I will not
Just not now!

1. What type of an oral poem is this? Explain your answer. (2mks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Identify three stylistic devices employed in the above genre. (6marks) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Explain the relevance of the title ‘Adieu’. (1marks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Identify the persona in the above genre. (2marks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Explain the mood of the oral poem above. (2marks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Explain two functions of this specific genre. (1marks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Explain any character trait of the persona (2marks) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Explain one social aspect of the society from which the genre is drawn. (2marks)
   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Give the meaning of the following expressions: (2marks)
   1. These…these shall be my keepsakes
      ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
   2. The silent prayers and tears
      ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. GRAMMAR (15MKS)

1. Use the correct form of each of the words in brackets to fill in the blank space. (3mks)
   1.  They were given a warm …………….. (receive)
   2. Maarifa is praised for his ……………… in approaching issues. (sober)
   3. I don’t understand why Eunice had to be given ………………..treatment (prefer)
2. Rewrite the following sentences as instructed. Do not change the meaning (4mks)
   1. I don’t know how it happened. (Rewrite using the word “idea.”)
      …………………………………………………………………………………………………
   2. Apart from James, they all took the same subjects. (Begin: save......)
      ………………………………………………………………………………………………
   3. We only recognized the visitor when she spoke (Begin: it wasn’t.....)
      …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
   4. The candidates did the exams. They hoped for the best.(End with the word “exams”)
      ……………………………………………………………………………………………………....
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct preposition (3mks)
   1. I hope your friend does not deal …….stolen cars.
   2. Mwema’s conduct is ……………. reproach.
   3. Unfortunately, the airplane plunged ………………the ocean.
4. Replace the underlined words with phrasal verbs (3mks)
   1. It is unfortunate that the talks have collapsed
      ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
   2. I felt ignored the entire time they talked.
      ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
   3. Will the meeting begin in the chair’s absence?
      ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech (2mks)
   1. “Wanjiru, please help me get away from here,” Caroline Mueni said.
      ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
   2. “Can you remind me what your name is? “John asked Treza.
      ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MARKING SCHEME

1. COMPREHENSION
   1. What does the author find puzzling before the coming of technology?
      • How difficult to imagine life without the internet and the cellphone.
      • How people managed their lives before the age of instant communication
   2. What is the purpose of a cell-phone?
      • A cell phone is used to communicate, it allows instant communication anywhere and at any time
   3. Make notes on the dangers of modern technology.
      • It can be addictive
      • It distracts students from chores
      • It exposes people to pornography
      • It damages ear drums
      • It exposes incriminating information
      • It ruins reputation.
        (MUST BE IN NOTE FORM, IF NOT DEDUCT 1/2 MARKS OF THE TOTAL MARKS)
   4. What is the attitude of the author towards modern technology?
      • The author is critical of the modern technology. He looks at both the good and bad sides of technology.
      • The author is disapproving
   5. How do scientists justify their innovations?
      • Scientists claim the problem is not with the innovation but with the users
   6. What is implied by the expression “perilous clouds”
      • Dangerous implications
   7. Write the following in indirect speech “I wonder whether capitalism can be more devious!”
      • She/he wondered whether capitalism could be more devious
   8. Explain the meaning of the following words;(4mks)
      1. Lurid…. involving sex or violence in a way that is shocking
      2. Pivot…. central role
      3. Sexting…. sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phone
      4. Ubiquitous…being seen everywhere
2. EXCERPT
   1. Why does Nora look disturbed at the beginning of this excerpt? (3marks)
      • Krogstad had visited her and threatened her with dire legal consequences arising from the discrepancy in the bond she signed when she took a loan of 250pounds to save Torvald. She is also afraid that her much guarded secret might be revealed and this might ruin her relationship with the husband.
   2. Who brought the box that Nora is unpacking at the beginning of this excerpt why did Nora want it? (2marks)
      • The nurse brought the box. Nora wanted it so that it can be repaired in readiness for the fancy-dress ball coming up at the Stenborgs’.
   3. “Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald had it made for me there, but now it is all so torn, and I haven’t any idea-----“
      1. What does this reveal about the character of Nora? (2marks)
         • She is /submissive- wants to go by what Torvald wants.
         • She is honest/sincere/truthful- admits that she has no idea how to fix the torn fancy dress.
      2. From this statement, describe the relationship that exists between Nora and Torvald. (2marks)
         • It is a hypocritical/pretentious. She wants to please Torvald by doing what he wants not because she likes it.
         • It is also cordial/warm. Torvald had a dress made for Nora.
      3. Identify and explain a stylistic device used in this statement. (2marks)
         • Symbolism. The torn fancy dress that needs repair. It symbolizes the pretentious relationship between Nora and Torvald that requires fixing.
         • Suspense. Nora doesn’t say the idea she doesn’t have for the dress…and I haven’t any idea…. This keeps the audience guessing hence heightens the tension in the play.. (1 mark for identification and illustration; 1 mark for explanation)
   4. Cite two things that indicate that Nora is lying about Dr. Rank’s sickness in this excerpt (2marks)
      • When asked by Christine how she gets to know about such details, she becomes restless and walks about
      • She also hesitates/stammers when she says that she gets visitors who have a medical knowledge.
      • She gives a flimsy reason- that because she has three children she gets visits from married women who know something about medical matters.
      • It is evident that her reasons are based on gossip- that the women talk about one thing and another.
        (Accept any two well explained)
   5. Identify two themes evident in this excerpt (4marks)
      • Love/Friendship. Dr. Rank is Torvald’s intimate friend and Nora’s great friend too.
      • Moral decadence. Dr. Rank suffers because of the excesses committed by his father- that if you live immoral life, it will make your children or relatives suffer too.
   6. Basing your argument from elsewhere in the play, explain what else Mrs. Linde repairs and how? (3marks)?
      • She goes all out to repair Torvald-Nora relationship/marriage to make it be premised on truth and honesty rather than pretence. She does so by asking Krogstad not to withdraw the bond so that the truth about Nora’s secret can be known to Helmer. She also insists that Nora should let Helmer know about her much guarded secret.
      • Christine repairs her broken relationship with Nils. She seeks him out, invites him to Helmer’s house, opens up to him and accepts to be the mother to his children.
   7. What tone does Nora adopt at the end of this excerpt(2marks)
      • Conceited/exultant/boastful/arrogant voice. She talks of how much Torvald possesses her jealously Ironic voice. That Torvald is absurdly fond her yet there are things she can only share with Dr. Rank and not Torvald.
   8. Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt.
      1. Dainty Beautiful/Charming/Exquisite/Lovely/Neat/Elegant.
      2. Horrible immoral/corrupt/deplorable/unpleasant
      3. make himself agreeable- try to fit in/accommodating/obsequious/ingratiating

3. ORAL POETRY (20MKS)

1. What type of oral poem is this? Explain your answer. (2mks)
   • An elegy/dirge/funeral song-the persona mourns the late son/until the day we meet again ,nind kue Thura/adieu
2. Identify the stylistic devices employed in the above genre . (6marks)
   
   • Direct address-and I wanted you to know that you were my son
   • Apostrophe-and I wanted you to know that you were my son (addressing the dead)
   • Repetition-you
   • Local dialect-nind gi kue Thura
3. Explain the relevance of the title ‘Adieu’. (1marks)
   • The persona bids farewell /goodbye to the late son-(until that day we meet again)
4. Identify the persona in the above genre. (2marks)
   • Parent mourning his son-until that day we meet again
5. Explain the mood of the oral poem above. (2marks)
   • Sombre/melancholic-it is a dirge, a parent mourning the son’s death.
6. Explain two functions of this specific genre. (2marks)
   • To mourn/express sorrow/grief for the dead
   • To console the bereaved
7. Explain any character trait of the persona (2marks)
   • Loving/caring/concerned-you were my friend and love still you are
   • Religious-believes in life after death.
8. Explain one social aspect of the society from which the genre is drawn. (2marks)
   • They believe in life after death-until that day we meet again…
9. Contextualize the meaning of the following expressions: (2marks)
   1. These…these shall be my keepsakes
      • They will form part of my memories of you/it will remind me of you
   2. The silent prayers and tears
      • Weeping quietly seeking for God’s intervention/the cries to God for guidance done quietly

4. GRAMMAR (15MKS)

1. Use the correct form of each of the words in brackets to fill in the blank space. (3mks)
   1. They were given a warm reception (receive)
   2. Maarifa is praised for his sobriety in approaching issues. (sober)
   3. I don’t understand why Eunice had to be given preferential treatment (prefer)
2. Rewrite the following sentences as instructed. Do not change the meaning (4mks)
   1. I don’t know how it happened. (Rewrite using the word “idea.”)
      I have no idea how it happened.
   2. A part from James, they all took the same subjects. (Begin : save......)
      Save for Jame, they all took the same subjects.
   3. We only y recognized the visitor when she spoke (Begin: it wasn’t.....)
      It wasn’t until she spole that we recognized the visitor/it wasn’t until the visitor spoke that we recognized.
   4. The candidates did the exams. They hoped for the best.(End with the word “exams”)
      Hoping for the best, the candidates did the exams.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct preposition (3mks)
   1. I hope your friend doesn’t deal in stolen cars.
   2. Mwema’s conduct is beyond/above reproach
   3. Unfortunately, the airplane plunged into the ocean into
4. Replace the underlined words with phrasal verbs (3mks)
   1.  It is unfortunate that the talks have collapsed.
      Broken down
   2. I felt ignored the entire time they talked.
      Left out
   3. Will the meeting begin in the chair’ chair’s absence?
      Take off
5. Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech (2mks)
   1. “Wanjiru, please help me get away from here,” Caroline Mueni said.
      Caroline Mueni requested Wanjiru to help her away from there.
   2. “Can you remind me what your name is? “John asked Treza.
      John asked Treza to remind him what her name is
      (NB: “is” is used because one” name remains constant.)