Primary 6 PSLE English Semestral Assessment 2 (End of Year) Paper 2

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) - English Primary 6 PSLE

SA2 Practice Paper - Version 2 of 5: ANSWER KEY

Total Marks: 50

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Section A: Grammar MCQ

Question	Answer	Marking Notes
1	B	[2 marks]
2	C	[2 marks]
3	A	[2 marks]
4	A	[2 marks]
5	D	[2 marks]
6	A	[2 marks]
7	B	[2 marks]
8	B	[2 marks]
9	B	[2 marks]
10	A	[2 marks]

Section A Subtotal: 20 marks

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1. Answer: B (was)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Subject-verb agreement with "neither...nor" (correlative conjunction).

• Rule: With correlative conjunctions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (proximity rule).

• Here, the nearer subject is "the teacher" (singular), so we need a singular verb: was.

• Common mistake: Choosing "were" (A) because students focus on "students" (plural), which is farther from the verb.

• Why not other options:

  • A "were" = plural, doesn't match "teacher"
  • C "are" = plural present tense, wrong on both counts
  • D "have been" = plural perfect tense, incorrect

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2. Answer: C (had been)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Third conditional (unreal past condition).

• Structure: If + had + past participle → would/could/might + have + past participle

• The main clause "would not have made" indicates this is a third conditional (impossible past situation).

• Therefore, the "if" clause needs had been (past perfect).

• Why not other options:

  • A "am" = present (zero/first conditional structure)
  • B "were" = past subjunctive (second conditional for present/future unreal)
  • D "have been" = present perfect (wrong tense sequence)

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3. Answer: A (which; has been)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Non-defining relative clause + present perfect tense with "since."

• "Which" vs "that": In non-defining relative clauses (with commas), we must use "which," not "that." This eliminates B and D.

• Tense choice: "Since its release last month" requires the present perfect ("has been viewed"), not simple past ("was viewed"). This eliminates C.

• Present perfect connects past action to present relevance (the viewing continues to matter now).

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4. Answer: A (arrived; had completed)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Past perfect for earlier completed action in past timeframe.

• Sequence: The performers completed their number before we arrived.

• Earlier action = past perfect continuous/completed: had completed

• Later action = simple past: arrived

• Why not other options:

  • B reverses the sequence incorrectly
  • C uses present perfect "have completed" with past "arrived" — inconsistent
  • D uses past perfect for both actions, implying same time, which is illogical

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5. Answer: D (maintain)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Subjunctive mood after "insist" (mandative subjunctive).

• Rule: After verbs expressing demand, suggestion, or insistence (insist, suggest, demand, recommend), we use the base form (subjunctive), regardless of subject.

• Structure: insist + that + subject + base form (no -s, no to, no modal)

• Hence: "every employee maintain" (not maintains, not must maintain).

• Why not other options:

  • A "must maintain" = redundant; "insist" already carries the force of obligation
  • B "maintains" = indicative mood, grammatically treated as statement of fact rather than command
  • C "maintained" = past tense, doesn't fit present subjunctive structure

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6. Answer: A (did; contained)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Inversion with "not only...but also" + past tense sequence.

• Rule: "Not only" at the beginning triggers subject-auxiliary inversion: "Not only did the temple survive..."

• Since this describes a past event (archaeological/historical), we need past tense throughout.

• "But it also contained" — simple past, parallel to "did survive."

• Why not other options:

  • B and D mix present tense with logical past context
  • C lacks the auxiliary "did" for inversion ("Not only the temple survive" is ungrammatical)

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7. Answer: B (be; were)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Subjunctive mood in formal suggestion + subjunctive/indicative in subordinate clause.

• First blank: "suggested that the conference be postponed" — mandative subjunctive (base form) after "suggest."

• Second blank: "all representatives were present" — past subjunctive or indicative past in formal register; "were" is used for hypothetical/uncertain condition despite "all" being plural (subjunctive "were" traditionally preferred, though "was" increasingly accepted).

• However, since this is formal/written register and follows "suggested," were maintains consistency with the subjunctive atmosphere.

• Why not other options:

  • A "is; are" = indicative present, too factual for a suggestion context
  • C "was; were" = "suggested that the conference was" treats the suggestion as fact, wrong
  • D "be; are" = mixes subjunctive with present indicative; inconsistent formality

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8. Answer: B (have; achieved)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Inversion with "seldom" + present perfect for past-to-present relevance.

• Rule: Negative adverbs at sentence start ("seldom," "rarely," "never," "hardly") trigger subject-auxiliary inversion.

• "Seldom have a more dedicated group... achieved so much"

• Present perfect because the achievement's relevance extends to now (we can still see/appreciate their work).

• Why not other options:

  • A "had; achieved" = past perfect, but no later past reference point is established
  • C "had; achieve" = wrong: after auxiliary, we need past participle, not base form
  • D "have; achieve" = same error: "have" requires past participle "achieved"

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9. Answer: B (designed; would be completed)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Past participle as reduced relative clause + reported future-in-the-past.

• First blank: "The building designed to withstand" = reduced form of "which was designed" (passive past participle functionally adjectival).

• Second blank: Reported speech transformation. Original thought: "will be completed by next spring" → in past reporting: "would be completed by next spring" (future-in-the-past).

• Why not other options:

  • A "designed; will be completed" = second part fails to shift tense in reported context
  • C "designing; would be completed" = active present participle wrongly suggests building does the designing
  • D "was designed; will have been completed" = too wordy; "was designed" makes relative clause instead of reduced form; future perfect overcomplicates

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10. Answer: A (had they reached; had)

Working and Explanation:

• Key Grammar Concept: Inversion with "hardly...when" + past perfect sequence.

• Rule: "Hardly/Scarcely + had + subject + past participle + when + past simple"

• "Hardly had they reached the settlement when the explorers realised they had miscalculated"

• Past perfect for both: (1) reaching happened before realising; (2) miscalculating happened before realising (and arguably before/during reaching).

• Why not other options:

  • B/C "did they reach" / "have" = wrong structure: "hardly...when" requires "hardly had...when"
  • D "did they reach; had" = first part wrong (need "had" for "hardly"), though second part correct

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Section B: Grammar Cloze

Question	Answer	Marking Notes
11	begin	[2 marks] - Present tense for habitual/natural fact
12	makes	[2 marks] - Present tense; "what" = singular subject
13	is passed	[2 marks] - Present passive; ongoing reality
14	have suggested / suggest	[2 marks] - Present perfect or simple present acceptable
15	is threatening / threatens	[2 marks] - Present continuous or simple present
16	have been struggling / are struggling	[2 marks] - Present perfect continuous or present continuous with "in recent years"

Section B Subtotal: 12 marks

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11. begin

Explanation: Simple present tense for timeless, habitual, or scientifically established fact. The monarch migration is a regular, recurring phenomenon. Present tense conveys this general truth. "Begins" would also be acceptable but less natural with plural subject "millions."

Marking: Accept "begin" for 2 marks. "Began" loses 1 mark (tense shift to past without context). "Have begun" loses 1 mark (unnecessary perfect).

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12. makes

Explanation: "What" functions as singular pronoun here (equivalent to "the thing that"). Therefore singular verb makes. This is an embedded question as subject. Common error: "make" (treating "what" as plural).

Marking: 2 marks for "makes." 1 mark for "make" (subject-verb agreement error). 0 for tense errors like "made" or "is making."

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13. is passed

Explanation: Present passive voice. The route is passed down (not "passes down" — that would suggest the route itself actively does something). This emphasizes the passive reception of genetic information. "Has been passed" also acceptable but slightly changes emphasis to present result.

Marking: 2 marks for "is passed" or "has been passed." 1 mark for "passes" (active voice loses the genetic/inherited connotation). 1 mark for "was passed" (unnecessary tense shift).

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14. have suggested / suggest

Explanation: Present perfect emphasizes recent research with present relevance; simple present also acceptable for established scientific reporting. Both are standard in scientific discourse.

Marking: Full marks either form. "Had suggested" loses 1 mark (past perfect without subsequent past reference). "Suggested" alone acceptable but less vivid.

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15. is threatening / threatens

Explanation: Present continuous "is threatening" captures ongoing, developing process — very apt for climate change. Simple present "threatens" states the fact more categorically. Both grammatically sound.

Marking: Full marks either form. "threatened" loses 1 mark (past tense disconnects from present reality). "has been threatening" acceptable but slightly less natural.

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16. have been struggling / are struggling

Explanation: Present perfect continuous emphasizes struggle continuing from past to present, matching "in recent years." Present continuous "are struggling" focuses on current situation. Both valid.

Marking: Full marks for either. "struggled" loses 1 mark (past tense without time anchor; "in recent years" demands present connection). "were struggling" loses 2 marks (past tense incompatible with "in recent years" as used here).

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Section C: Grammar Transformation & Error Correction

Section C Subtotal: 10 marks

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17.(a) [2 marks]

Model Answer:

The museum guide warned us that we must not touch the exhibits under any circumstances.

OR: The museum guide warned us not to touch the exhibits under any circumstances.

Marking Breakdown:

Component	Marks
Correct reporting verb structure ("warned us that/ us not to")	1
Correct negative prohibition maintained ("must not" / "not to")	1

Teaching Note: "Warn" can followed by object + "that"-clause or object + "not to" infinitive. The prohibition must remain negative. Common error: "warned us didn't touch" (illogical structure) or weakening to "advised" (changes meaning).

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17.(b) [2 marks]

Model Answer:

The scientists will probably announce their findings before the conference ends.

OR: The scientists are likely to announce their findings before the conference ends.

Marking Breakdown:

Component	Marks
Correct transformation of "It is probable that" to subject+verb structure	1
Retaining "probably" or equivalent ("likely," "expected to") with correct syntax	1

Teaching Note: "It is probable that X will..." transforms to "X will probably..." or "X is likely to..." Students often produce "The scientists probably will..." (awkward but acceptable) or "The scientists are probable to..." (wrong adjective form).

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17.(c) [2 marks]

Model Answer:

I had my bicycle stolen while I was in the library.

OR: My bicycle was stolen while I was in the library.

Marking Breakdown:

Component	Marks
Correct causative structure or passive transformation	1
Maintaining temporal clause "while I was in the library"	1

Teaching Note: "Have something done" (causative/passive experience) is the elegant transformation. Simple passive also acceptable. Common error: "I was stolen my bicycle" (wrong object placement in passive).

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18. Error Correction [5 marks: 1 mark each correct identification and correction]

Error No.	Incorrect Word	Correction	Explanation
1	was	were	Subject "children" is plural; verb must agree
2	has	had	Past perfect needed for "since months" (duration before past moment); also plural subject
3	since	for	"Since" requires specific point in time; "for" used with duration "months"
4	have	had	Past perfect needed — gathering completed before some past reference (the celebration)
5	took	had taken / had already taken	Past perfect needed: taking seats completed before speaker arrived; also agreement with "had already"

Common Error Alert: Many students miss error 3 ("since/for") because they use "since months" colloquially. This is a standard PSLE trap testing temporal preposition distinction.

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Section D: Combining & Constructing Sentences

Section D Subtotal: 8 marks

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19. [3 marks]

Model Answer:

The expedition was abandoned because the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly and the team members, who lacked adequate polar equipment, could not survive the extreme conditions.

OR:

Because the weather conditions, which had deteriorated rapidly, posed too great a danger for team members who lacked adequate polar equipment, the expedition was abandoned.

Marking Breakdown:

Component	Marks
Includes a relative clause correctly formed ("who lacked" or "which had deteriorated")	1
Uses a suitable conjunction showing correct logical relationship (because, since, as)	1
Maintains original meaning with grammatically coherent, fluent sentence	1

Teaching Notes: Award full marks for any grammatically sound combination preserving all original information. Deduct 1 mark if relative clause is malformed (e.g., "who lack" without antecedent). Deduct 1 mark if meaning distorted (e.g., equipment caused abandonment). Encourage variety: participial phrases ("Lacking equipment...") acceptable bonus but not required.

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20(a) [1 mark]

Model Answer:

I have lived in Singapore since 2015.

OR: Since last Tuesday, the weather has been terrible.

Marking: Must show starting point in time (when something began). Temporal "since" always points backward to a specific moment.

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20(b) [1 mark]

Model Answer:

Since you are unwell, you should stay home today.

OR: I stayed home, since I needed to finish my project.

Marking: Must show causal/reason relationship (= "because," "given that"). Note: causal "since" is typically clause-initial or mid-sentence, slightly more formal than "because."

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20(c) [3 marks]

Model Answer:

Since I moved here in 2015, I have loved this neighbourhood, since the people are so friendly.

OR: Since you have been studying hard since morning, you deserve a break.

Marking Breakdown:

Component	Marks
Temporal "since" correctly identifying start point	1
Causal "since" correctly giving reason	1
Single grammatically correct sentence incorporating both without ambiguity	1

Teaching Note: The challenge is avoiding ambiguity. Context usually clarifies, but placement helps: temporal "since" typically with perfect tenses and identifiable time reference; causal "since" with clause of reason. Full marks only if both functions are clearly distinguishable in context.

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TOTAL MARKS: 50

Section	Marks
A: Grammar MCQ	20
B: Grammar Cloze	12
C: Transformation & Error Correction	10
D: Combining & Constructing	8
TOTAL	50

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Estimated Time Breakdown (Internal):

Section	Questions	Suggested Time
A: MCQ	10	12 minutes
B: Cloze	6	10 minutes
C: Transformation	3 parts	12 minutes
D: Construction	2 questions	11 minutes
Review	—	5 minutes
TOTAL	—	50 minutes