English Questions and Answers - Class 8 Opener Exams Term 1 2023 Set 6

QUESTIONS

Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1 to 15. For each blank space choose the best answer from the choices
Painkillers, also __1__ as analgesics, are medications that are used to__2__pain. There are several different types of painkillers,__3__them nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and acetaminophen. __4__ painkillers can have both positive and negative effects __5__ the body. On the positive side, painkillers __6__ be very effective at __7__ rid of pain and __8__ quality of life. They also help to__9__ up recovery from injuries and surgeries; enabling them to __10__to their normal activities.
__11__, there are also negative effects associated__12__painkiller use. Some people may experience __13__ such as stomach upset, dizziness, or drowsiness. In addition, some painkillers, particularly opioids, can be addictive and can __14__ to dependence. It is important to use painkillers
only as__15__by a healthcare provider.

1.                      
   1. called
   2. referred
   3. known
   4. named
2.                    
   1. relieve
   2. release
   3. relive
   4. receive
3.                
   1. amid
   2. among
   3. like
   4. between
4.                      
   1. Taking 
   2. Drinking
   3. Buying
   4. Giving
5.                
   1. in
   2. with
   3. on
   4. to
6.              
   1. might
   2. can
   3. must 
   4. should
7.                  
   1. getting
   2. causing
   3. doing 
   4. making
8.                          
   1. improves
   2. improved
   3. improving
   4. improve
9.                
   1. quick
   2. speed
   3. quicken
   4. fasten
10.            
    1. go back
    2. return back
    3. get 
    4. enter
11.                  
    1. Moreover
    2. Although
    3. However
    4. Beside
12.                  
    1. of
    2. with
    3. at
    4. from
13.                  
    1. sickness
    2. sufferings
    3. signs
    4. side effects
14.                              
    1. get
    2. lead
    3. cause
    4. bring
15.                  
    1. given
    2. inscribed
    3. described
    4. prescribed 

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

16. Mr Maina asked, "Don't you children think you ............................... be helping your mother with cleaning the house?"
    1. could
    2. should
    3. might
    4. ought
17. We wondered....................we were going to break the sad news of her pet's death.
    1. how
    2. that
    3. why
    4. if

In questions 18 to 20, choose the word that means the same as the underlined words.

18. Makona felt tired and drained of energy after a hard day's work.
    1. miserable
    2. sore
    3. crossed
    4. exhausted
19. These porters must be very strong to be able to handle our bags, trunks and suitcases.
    1. goods
    2. luggage
    3. cargoes
    4. equipment
20. Our monitor was chosen by voting by the pupils in our class.
    1. selected
    2. picked
    3. elected
    4. named

In questions 21 to 23. select the sentence that means the same as the one underlined. 

21. Immediately the guests arrived, the choir began singing.
    1. The guests arrived just as the choir began singing.
    2. Hardly had the guests arrived when the choir began singing.
    3. The guests arrived as soon as the choir began singing.
    4. No sooner had the guests arrived when the choir began singing.
22. We were reminded to complete our work by the teacher. The teacher
    1. was reminding us to complete our work.
    2. was reminded to complete our work.
    3. reminded us to complete our work.
    4. had reminded us to complete our work.
    5. "What's the time now?" Sheila asked Mwaz. Sheila asked Mwajuma what
    6. will be the time now.
    7. what is the time now.
    8. what the time was then.
    9. what was the time then.

In questions 24 and 25. choose the best alternative to complete the sentences.

24. A..........................................of savages attacked the caravan. 
    1. troop
    2. pack
    3. gang
    4. horde
25. ".............................................you study very hard you will miss a chance in secondary school," the counsellor told the pupils.
    1. Because
    2. Unless
    3. Although
    4. If

Read the passage below and answer questions 26 to 38,
As I sat at the bus station, waiting for my uncle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The sea of humanity swirled around me, a relentless tide of people rushing to their destinations. Touts shouted themselves hoarse, trying to lure passengers into their buses with promises of comfort and speed. But amidst the chaos, there was a darker undercurrent.
Some loners milled about with rugged appearance, blank stares and slack bodies, going to no particular destination. Hawkers preyed on the vulnerable passengers by dangling overpriced toys, cheap jewellery and candy. They frowned on those passengers who turned down a sale as they moved to the next. Everywhere I looked, there was a sense of desperation and greed. I couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was at play in this bus station.
As the minutes ticked by and my uncle failed to show, my anxiety grew. I had heard stories of pickpockets, thieves and con-artists preying on unsuspecting travellers especially if one looked gullible, confused or simply needy. I imagined myself falling prey to one of these predators, my bags and possessions stolen, my journey plans thwarted.
Just as I was about to give up hope, a figure approached me, his movements slow and deliberate. I quickly realized that he was one of the loners, his eyes fixed on my bags stacked beside me. My heart raced as he reached out for the handle of my luggage, his intentions clear.
Acting quickly, I stood up, blocking his path and confronting him. "What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and fear. The loner looked at me blankly for a moment, then turned and walked away without a word.
Relieved but still shaken, I knew that I had to be more vigilant. I clutched my bags tightly, knowing that I couldn't let my guard down in this chaotic and dangerous place. And just then, my uncle finally showed up. We got on the bus and embarked on our journey.
As we rode on, I couldn't help but reflect on the lessons that I had learnt from my first time at the bus station. I realized that while travelling can be exciting and full of adventure, it can also be dangerous and unpredictable. I vowed to always be vigilant and aware of my surroundings, especially in unfamiliar places like bus stations.
I also realized the importance of being prepared and having a plan. If my uncle had been on time, I wouldn't have been left alone at the bus station and I wouldn't have been put in a potentially dangerous situation. I was glad to have made it out of the bus station unscathed, but the incident would stay with me as a reminder of the importance of being cautious and staying safe while travelling. I was also grateful for the experience, it taught me valuable lesson that will stay with me for a long time.

26. We can conclude that the writer was uneasy because,
    1. he thought his uncle was lost.
    2. the people in the station threatened him.
    3. he was not used to such an environment.
    4. he was excitedly waiting for his uncle.
27. It is true to say that,
    1. the station was deserted.
    2. the station was packed with people.
    3. the station was full of touts.
    4. passengers in the station were confused.
28. The word 'lure' as used in the passage means the same as
    1. force.
    2. attract.
    3. cheat.
    4. direct.
29. The loners in the station were
    1. also waiting to travel.
    2. selling their wares to travellers.
    3. wandering around the station.
    4. shouting to fill the buses.
30. The opposite of the word 'frowned' as used in the passage is
    1. laughed.
    2. congratulated.
    3. glared.
    4. smiled.
31. The writer was wary of all the following predators except
    1. robbers.
    2. thieves.
    3. pickpockets.
    4. con artists.
32. Why do you think the loner moved towards the writer slowly and deliberately? He wanted
    1. help from the writer.
    2. to steal the luggage.
    3. to help carry the luggage.
    4. to trick the writer.
33. We can say the writer was 
    1. observant and courageous.
    2. keen and timid.
    3. anxious and gullible.
    4. brave and friendly.
34. What made the writer sure that the loner was up to no good? The
    1. writer already knew who he was.
    2. man reached for the writer's luggage.
    3. man was looking at the writer's luggage.
    4. writer suspected his appearance.
35. The writer almost lost his luggage because 
    1. he was not watchful enough.
    2. he was afraid of the people in the station. 
    3. his uncle did not come in time.
    4. he had kept his luggage carelessly.
36. The writer learnt all the following lessons. Which one didn't he?
    1. Travelling can be fun but dangerous.
    2. He needed to be aware of his surroundings in new places.
    3. When travelling, unexpected events can happen.
    4. He should not have travelled alone.
37. According to the writer, the uncle was late because
    1. he did not plan his time well.
    2. the bus he took was late.
    3. he took time to locate the writer. 
    4. he waited for the lone man to leave.
38. Which of the following proverbs best summarizes the story?
    1. A fool and his money are soon parted.
    2. Experience is the best teacher. 
    3. Blood is thicker than water.
    4. The days of a thief are numbered. 

Read the following passage and answer questions 39 to 50.
Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world, though the way it is celebrated can vary greatly from country to country and culture to culture. In many places, Christmas is a time of family gatherings, gift-giving, and religious observances. It is a time of joy and celebration, but it is also a time of reflection and contemplation.
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who celebrated a festival called Saturnalia in honour of the god Saturn. This festival was a time of partying and celebration, and it was marked by the exchange of gifts and the decoration of homes with greenery. Over time, the celebration of Saturnalia merged with other winter festivals and eventually evolved into the holiday we now know as Christmas.
The modern celebration of Christmas has its roots in the Christian tradition. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. In the centuries that followed, Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th. This celebration eventually spread to other parts of the world, and today, Christmas is celebrated by people of many different faiths and backgrounds.
One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree. The tradition of decorating a tree with lights and ornaments dates back to the 16th century in Germany. Today, Christmas trees can be found in homes, public squares, and shopping malls all around the world.
Another popular aspect of Christmas is gift-giving. The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is said to have originated with the three wise men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Today, people exchange gifts with family and friends as a way of expressing love and appreciation. In addition to gift-giving and the decoration of Christmas trees, there are many other traditions associated with Christmas. Many people sing carols and attend religious services, such as Christmas Eve mass. Others prepare special meals and delicacies, such as Christmas cookies and fruitcakes.
Despite the many differences in how Christmas is celebrated around the world, there are some For many people, Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the things common themes that run throughout the holiday. These include love, kindness, and a sense of community.
that bring us loy and happiness.
In conclusion, Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world in many different ways. While tee angins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient Rome and the Christian tradition, it has evolved over time to become a time of joy, celebration, and reflection for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Whether you celebrate Christmas with a tree, gifts, carols, or special meals, the holiday is a time to come together with loved ones and to celebrate the things that bring us joy and happiness.

39. According to the first paragraph, Christmas
    1. is celebrated everywhere in the world.
    2. is celebrated in a similar way everywhere.
    3. is just a time of family gathering only. 
    4. creates one culture from country to country.
40. Which of the following words is a synonym of "ancient"?
    1. Historic
    2. Outdated
    3. Famous
    4. Early
41. People celebrated Christmas in all of the following ways excemt by
    1. exchanging gifts with family and friends.
    2. attending cultural acvities.
    3. decorating Christmas trees.
    4. singing carols.
42. From where did the tradition of gift-giving at Christmas originate? From the
    1. three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus.
    2. ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.
    3. Christian tradition of celebrating the birth of Jesus.
    4. culture of people exchanging gifts.
43. Why do people exchange gifts at Christmas?
    1. To share with those who are needy. 
    2. Because Jesus was given gifts.
    3. It is part of the Christmas celebration.
    4. To express love and appreciation.
44. Which of the following words is a synonym of "tradition"?
    1. Practice
    2. Habit
    3. Custom
    4. Routine
45. What did the three wise men bring as gifts to the baby Jesus? Gifts of
    1. gold, frankincense and myrrh. 
    2. clothes, jewellery and toys.
    3. myrrh, gold and delicacies.
    4. money, decorations and jewellery.
46. One is likely to find decorated Christmas trees in all of the following places except in
    1. shopping malls.
    2. people's residences. 
    3. public parks.
    4. transport hubs.
47. It is true to say that Christmas is celebrated by
    1. only Christians.
    2. only people of certain cultures.
    3. only people of certain countries.
    4. people of many different faiths and backgrounds.
48. What is a common theme associated with Christmas?
    1. Show off and community. 
    2. Affection and kindness. 
    3. Love and communication.
    4. Thankfulness and strife.
49. The main purpose of Christmas is to come together with loved ones to
    1. celebrate the things that bring joy and happiness
    2. check on our neighbours and friends.
    3. mark the end of the year and celebrate achievements.
    4. mark the birth of Jesus Christ by attending mass.
50. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage above?
    1. The Origin of Christmas.
    2. The Birth of Jesus Christ.
    3. Christmas Celebrations.
    4. Ancient Festivals.

MARKING SCHEME

COMPOSITION

The following is the beginning of a story. Complet: it in your own words making it as interesting as possible.
My elder sister and I had been invited over to our aunt's home for the December holidays. We had already packed waiting for father to drive us there. After a long time, be came looking worried and informed us.................................................................................................................................................