English Questions and Answers - Class 8 End Term Exams Term 2 2023 Set 1

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1 to15. For each blank space, choose the best answer from the choices given.

When I was young, I enjoyed __1__ mother cook, especially when she was preparing my favourite omelettes. When the eggs __2__ 
golden, mother flipped them __3__. I was __4__. In fact, I would jump and clap my hands with glee. Once, when mother was not in, I decided to fry an egg by __5__. Having watched mother do it so many times before, I thought I __6__ go wrong. First, I washed the pan. Then I poured some oil into the pan. __7__, as the oil heated up, it splattered all over the stove. Some of it got on my face and arms and I cried out in pain. I was __8__ terrified that I did not even try to go near the pan! After what __9__ like eternity, the sizzling oil __10__ hissing. I then __11__ the stove and spent the next hour cleaning up the mess. After that incident, __12__wanted to learn cooking. Up till now, I __13__ have not learnt the art of frying __14__. I would rather help mother wash the cooking utensils, __15__.

In questions 16 and 17. choose the best alternative to complete the sentences

16. The number of projects in our school _____________________ increased.
    1. have
    2. were
    3. has
    4. will
17. Would she have done the work 
    1. if she was asked to?
    2. if she would be asked to?
    3. unless she was asked to?
    4. if she had been asked to?

In questions 18 and 19. fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate alternative.

18. It was not until the end of the term 
    1. that the results were announced.
    2. than the results were announced.
    3. when the results were announced. 
    4. and the results were announced.
19. Playing in the sand
    1. it had a coin.
    2. a coin was found by children.
    3. there was a coin.
    4. the children found a coin.

In questions 20 to 22. choose the alternative that means the same as the underlined words.

20. The drama club performed a play about drug abuse.
    1. put up
    2. set up
    3. put on
    4. put forward
21. The reasons he gave don't make sense.
    1. make out
    2. come around
    3. add to
    4. add up
22. The players looked forward to beginning the match.
    1. anticipated
    2. waited
    3. expected
    4. hope

In questions 23 and 24. choose the alternative that means the same as the underlined sentense.

23. They should not break the law.
    1. They need not break the law. 
    2. They might not break the law. 
    3. They must not break the law. 
    4. They ought not to break the law.
24. "The earth revolves round the sun." she said.
    1. She said the earth had revolved round the sun.
    2. She says the earth revolves round the sun.
    3. She said the earth revolves round the sun.
    4. She said the earth revolved round the sun.

In question 25, choose the best arrangement of the given sentences to make sensible paragraphs.

25.  
    1. The clever bird dropped stones into the water.
    2. It was not possible for the bird to reach the water.
    3. A thirsty bird found a tall jug with some water in it.
    4. To the bird's delight, the water rose high enough for it to drink.
       
       1. iii, iv, i, ii
       2. iii, i, ii, iv
       3. iii, ii, i, iv
       4. iii, iv, ii, i

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 38.

"Hurry up Njambi!" My mother plodded as I hurried to tie my brand new shoes. We were going to Uhuru Park for a picnic with our family that day. I was incredibly excited because the park was so fun and also because I loved to eat! My brother, who was 11 and exactly three years older than I, was grumpy because he thought he was "too old" for family picnics. I told myself that I would never be too old for them!

Everyone boarded our grey Sienta van and we made our way across town to Uhuru Park. The Park was beautiful during the rainy season and since it was May, all the flowers were in bloom and everything smelled fresh and sweet. We gathered all our things and made our way to a nice patch of green grass perfect for a picnic. After setting everything down, we began to bond and just enjoy the serene environment.

Not long after we all busily enjoying our food when a stray dog walked by. At first no one paid any attention because we were busy enjoying ourselves and the dog probably had a home. After a while though, I noticed that the dog had been wandering back and forth, whining the entire time. It was probably lost and my heart immediately went out to him.

"Mom! Mom! Look, a lost dog!" I told my mother in a frenzy. We both began to look around to see who might have lost a dog. My other family members looked at us like we were crazy but I was so honestly worried for the poor animal. He would be so lonely and hungry out there. We decided we would hold on the dog for a while to see if anyone such as the owner came looking for him. After about thirty minutes of waiting around, we were pretty unsuccessful so we just decided on taking him home with us. At home, the dog was full of energy; probably just happy. He had shelter and a place to rest from nature.

I got to work right away, typing "LOST DOG" flyers to post around town! I even put a picture of him. I got very much into making all the posters and stuff that I completely neglected the poor dog. He kept asking me to give him attention but I was too focused on making lost dog posters for him. He was neglected because I was too excited for the wrong things! When I finished I wanted to play with the dog but he already went to sleep, and so I was very disappointed. Later on, I realized that since I neglected him, I lost a chance to have fun and play with him!

We waited for two days, hoping for the owner to call but sadly no one called. But luckily, on the third day someone finally called. My mother and I were extremely happy but slightly bittersweet that the sweet dog that we had come to love had to leave. When the next day came, we gave the dog back to the very grateful owners, who were frantic with worry when they realized their beloved dog had gone missing.

"Mom, can we please get a dog?" I begged for the next couple of weeks. She actually finally agreed and we went to pick our own furry pet! I was the happiest girl the day I got my puppy

26. According to the first paragraph, the writer was
    1. worried.
    2. excited.
    3. eager.
    4. confused.
27. The writer's brother was in a bad mood because
    1. the family was getting late for the picnic.
    2. picnics were for younger children.
    3. the writer was three years younger.
    4. he thought his age was too advanced for picnics.
28. What made Uhuru Park very suitable for this picnic? The
    1. rainy season.
    2. look and smell of flowers.
    3. patch of green grass.
    4. delicious food.
29. When did a stray dog walk by? 
    1. After boarding the grey Sienta van.
    2. While they were all enjoying their food.
    3. Before they started having their meal.
    4. When they had finished their meal.
30. The family did not initially pay attention to the dog because
    1. the dog was harmless.
    2. the dog had a home.
    3. they were occupied with eating.
    4. they did not own the dog.
31. The phrase "My heart immediately went out to him" as used in the passage means the writer felt
    1. interested in the dog.
    2. disturbed by the dog.
    3. bitter with the dog.
    4. pity on the dog.
32. The word "pretty" as used in the passage means
    1. beautiful.
    2. very
    3. extremely.
    4. fine.
33. It is true to say that
    1. only the writer and the mother were concerned about the stray dog.
    2. the dog did not behave well when it went to the picnic site.
    3. the writer intended to steal the stray dog but changed her mind.
    4. it was the writer's mother who suggested they take the dog home.
34. Why was the writer unable to play with the dog once they got home? 
    1. The dog was not friendly.
    2. The dog was lonely and lost. 
    3. She was worried about the dog's owner.
    4. She was busy putting up posters.
35. The lesson the writer learnt after finding the dog already asleep was that
    1. neglected dogs can fall asleep.
    2. dogs need constant attention.
    3. we at times attend to the wrong things.
    4. we should take care of our pets.
36. When finally someone called about the dog, the writer and her mother were
    1. disappointed. 
    2. relieved.
    3. in dilemma.
    4. in denial.
37. In the end, the writer was
    1. unhappy to have lost the stray dog.
    2. sad that the owners were ungrateful.
    3. happy to finally own a puppy.
    4. happy that she no longer lived with a dog.
38. The best title for this passage is
    1. The Stray Dog.
    2. Adventure at the Park.
    3. Searching for a Puppy.
    4. A Picnic Gone Bad.

Read the passage below and answer questions 39 to 50.

It is undeniable that games and sports are an important part of school life. In fact, some people feel that sports should be made a compulsory curriculum in schools. The role of schools is to produce young people who are all-inclusive and rounded. They need to develop in more ways than just academically. I therefore disagree with the view that students should not waste time on sports.

Firstly, sports plays a more meaningful role in developing positive values in students. It builds up leadership skills in students who are active in games and sports. Every game requires a leader or captain. The leader or captain gets good training on leadership skills by leading the team. Playing games or sports also requires teamwork, initiative and a sense of responsibility.

Moreover, games and sports provide a healthy avenue for students to exercise and relax after studies. As they play, they get to release tension and stress. After a game or match, their minds are recharged and they go back to their books in a better frame of mind.

Students who are not so academically good might end up to be good in certain games. If that is the case, participation in sports in schools can help them develop their interest and ability in sports. They may even develop a career in sports. This would be a good option to those students who cannot obtain degrees in academic courses.

Students who play sports quickly learn that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. They learn to be a good port in both situations. It also helps them learn to deal with disappointment and go on.

The best part of sports is that playing it is fun. It gives the child something to do and a group to belong to. Students have a group of friends that has the same goals and interests. Young people who play sports are more likely to have a positive body image and higher self-esteem. They are also less likely to take drugs or smoke because they realise the impact that these destructive activities can have on their performance.

In my view, schools should make sports an important activity in the school curriculum. By doing so, they are not neglecting their mission in producing young people who are academically good. Every school should encourage sports. Through participation in games and sports, schools teach students good traits and values. Of course, good values can also be instilled during class lessons. However, if these values can also be instilled through playing sports, then sports is definitely not a waste of time and energy.

39. Why do some people feel sports should be made compulsory? They 
    1. are an essential component of learning.
    2. make learning fun and exciting.
    3. are often not taken very seriously.
    4. make learners better academically.
40. According to the passage, an all inclusive and rounded student is
    1. very bright academically.
    2. one who has developed in other areas besides academically. 
    3. the one who has excelled many ways but academically.
    4. the one whose focus is academic excellence.
41. The expression "compulsory" has been used in the passage. It can be replaced with 
    1. optional. 
    2. obligatory
    3. voluntary.
    4. forbidden.
42. Sports play an important role in developing positive values through making
    1. them look down upon other people.
    2. them have leadership skills.
    3. them get along well with others.
    4. one develop personal skills.
43. When tension and stress levels rise, students
    1. can play to re-energise the mind. 
    2. need to relax by watching a game.
    3. need to go back to their books.
    4. can exercise their minds before studying.
44. "...a better frame of mind..." as used in the passage means a
    1. happy and excited mind.
    2. mind that is full of ideas.
    3. relaxed mind that can concentrate. 
    4. disinterested and bored mind.
45. It is true to say that students who are not academically good
    1. are likely to do well in games.
    2. should do well in games.
    3. will do well in games.
    4. must do well in games.
46. The word impact as used in the passage refers to 
    1. drug abusers.
    2. drugs abused.
    3. negative effects.
    4. minor effects.
47. An important life skill got from sports is that
    1. we should avoid being disappointed.
    2. winning and losing is part of life. 
    3. losing means we are not good enough.
    4. we should always win.
48. Engaging in sports in school benefits 
    1. only students who are good at academics.
    2. only students who are not good at academics.
    3. all students whether good at academics or not.
    4. students who cannot obtain degrees in academics.
49. All the following are positive effects of sports in schools. Which one is not? Students
    
    1. develop limiting self esteem.
    2. are able to socialise with peers.
    3. are able to concentrate more in studies.
    4. identify and develop their talents early.
50. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
    1. The Importance of Sports.
    2. Excelling in Academic Work.
    3. How to Excel in Games at School.
    4. Benefits of Sports in Schools.

COMPOSITION

You have 40 minutes to write your composition.

Below is the beginning of a story. Write it in your own words, making it as interesting as possible.

The distance from school to home was not a child's play. I had to trek along the dusty road alone. It was already approaching seven in the dusk and I was still a kilometre away ....................................................................................

MARKING SCHEME

1. C
2. A
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. C
9. D
10. A
11. C
12. B
13. D
14. A
15. C
16. A
17. C
18. A
19. D
20. B
21. D
22. A
23. C
24. C
25. C
26. C
27. D
28. C
29. B
30. C
31. D
32. B
33. A
34. D
35. C
36. C
37. C
38. B
39. C
40. D
41. B
42. D
43. A
44. C
45. B
46. D
47. A
48. B
49. A
50. B