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Secondary 4 English Preliminary Examination Paper 3

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - English Secondary 4

TuitionGoWhere Secondary School (AI)

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

Subject: English Language (1184) Level: Secondary 4 Paper: Paper 2 – Comprehension Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes Total Marks: 50 Version: 3 of 5

Name: _________________________ Class: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Instructions to Candidates

This paper consists of three sections: Section A, Section B, and Section C.
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
Read each passage carefully before attempting the questions.
Pay attention to the mark allocation for each question. Marks indicate the depth of response expected.
For summary writing (Section C), write in continuous prose using your own words as far as possible.

Section A [5 marks]

Text 1 and Text 2 are provided below. Study them carefully and answer Questions 1–5.

Text 1

An extract from a travel blog post about the author's first solo hiking experience in New Zealand.

The trail snaked upward through dense beech forest, the canopy so thick that only fragments of sky pierced through. I had been walking for three hours, and the initial thrill of adventure had long since given way to a dull ache in my calves and a persistent question echoing in my mind: What was I thinking? The silence of the forest was not peaceful but watchful, as if the trees themselves were waiting for me to make a mistake. Every snap of a twig sent my heart racing; every rustle in the undergrowth conjured images of wild creatures I had no desire to meet. Yet, when I finally emerged onto the ridge and saw the valley spread out below me like a crumpled green carpet, the fear evaporated. In that moment, I understood why people chase summits — not for the view, but for the version of themselves they find waiting at the top.

Text 2

An infographic from a New Zealand tourism website promoting guided hiking tours.

GUIDED HIKES: SAFETY MEETS ADVENTURE

Feature	Self-Guided	Guided Tour
Route Planning	Your responsibility	Expertly curated
Emergency Support	Limited	24/7 satellite communication
Local Knowledge	Research required	In-depth cultural & ecological insights
Group Dynamics	Solo or own group	Meet like-minded adventurers
Cost	Lower upfront	All-inclusive packages available

"Don't just hike — experience the land through the eyes of those who know it best."

Question 1 [1 mark]

From Text 1, identify the phrase that suggests the forest was intimidating rather than welcoming.

Question 2 [1 mark]

What is the tone of the writer's question "What was I thinking?" in Text 1?

Question 3 [1 mark]

Look at the photograph accompanying Text 2 (not shown). The subtitle reads "Don't just hike — experience the land through the eyes of those who know it best." What idea does this subtitle convey about guided tours?

Question 4 [1 mark]

With reference to Text 2, which feature of guided tours would most appeal to someone who values safety above all else? Give a reason for your answer.

Question 5 [1 mark]

Explain how the writer of Text 1 creates a contrast between the forest experience and the ridge experience. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Section B [20 marks]

Text 3 is provided below. Read it carefully and answer Questions 6–15.

Text 3

An extract from a short story about a young woman returning to her childhood home after many years abroad.

The gate groaned on its hinges as Maya pushed it open, the sound exactly as she remembered it — a low, mournful complaint that had once signalled her return from school each afternoon. But nothing else was the same. The garden, once her mother's pride, had surrendered to chaos. Weeds had swallowed the flowerbeds, and the rose bushes that had lined the path were now skeletal, their branches clawing at the air like arthritic fingers.
She stood motionless for a long moment, her suitcase heavy in her hand, the weight of it nothing compared to the weight pressing on her chest. The house itself seemed smaller than she remembered, its paint peeling in long, curling strips, revealing the grey wood beneath. A window on the upper floor was cracked, a dark star radiating from its centre.
Inside, the air was thick with the smell of dust and something else — something sweet and cloying that she could not immediately place. It was only when she stepped into the kitchen that she understood. A bowl of oranges sat on the counter, their skins wrinkled and darkening, releasing the fermented scent of decay. Her mother had always kept a bowl of oranges on that counter. Always.
Maya set down her suitcase and walked slowly through the rooms, her footsteps echoing on the bare floorboards. In the living room, the furniture was draped in white sheets, ghostly shapes huddled together in the dim light. She pulled back one sheet and found her father's armchair, the fabric worn thin on the armrests where his hands had rested through countless evenings of reading.
She sat down in the chair and closed her eyes. For a moment, she could almost hear his voice, the low rumble of it as he read aloud to her, the way he would pause to explain a difficult word or to laugh at a particularly clever passage. But the silence that followed was absolute, a silence so complete it seemed to have its own presence, its own weight.
When she opened her eyes, the room was darker. The sun had slipped behind the clouds, and the shadows had lengthened, reaching across the floor like dark water. Maya realised then that she had been sitting for far longer than she had intended, lost in the strange, suspended time of a house that had been waiting — patiently, silently — for someone to return.

Question 6 [1 mark]

From paragraph 1, find the word that suggests the gate made a sound expressing unhappiness or discomfort.

Question 7 [1 mark]

What does the phrase "surrendered to chaos" (line 3) suggest about the garden?

Question 8 [2 marks]

Explain how the language used in paragraph 1 highlights the neglected condition of the garden. Support your answer with two examples.

Question 9 [1 mark]

In paragraph 2, the writer describes the house as seeming "smaller than she remembered." What does this detail suggest about Maya's changed perspective?

Question 10 [2 marks]

"A bowl of oranges sat on the counter, their skins wrinkled and darkening, releasing the fermented scent of decay." (lines 12–13)

How is this sentence effective in conveying a sense of loss? Explain your answer fully.

Question 11 [1 mark]

What is the effect of describing the furniture as "ghostly shapes huddled together" (line 16)?

Question 12 [2 marks]

In paragraph 5, the writer describes the silence as having "its own presence, its own weight." Explain what this suggests about Maya's emotional state at this moment.

Question 13 [1 mark]

Identify the tone of the final sentence in paragraph 6: "a house that had been waiting — patiently, silently — for someone to return."

Question 14 [2 marks]

With reference to the whole text, explain how the writer uses sensory details to create a mood of abandonment. Support your answer with at least two examples.

Question 15 [2 marks]

What does the text suggest about Maya's relationship with her father? Support your answer with evidence from the passage.

Section C [25 marks]

Text 4 is provided below. Read it carefully and answer Questions 16–20.

Text 4

An article from a health and wellness magazine about the benefits of mindful eating.

In an age of convenience, eating has become something we do while doing something else. We scroll through our phones during lunch, answer emails over breakfast, and consume dinner in front of the television. This mindless consumption, health experts warn, is contributing to a range of problems — from overeating and poor digestion to a diminished enjoyment of food itself.
Mindful eating, a practice rooted in Buddhist meditation traditions, offers an antidote to this cultural habit of distraction. At its core, mindful eating involves paying full attention to the experience of eating, without judgment. This means noticing the colours, textures, and aromas of food; chewing slowly and deliberately; and tuning in to the body's signals of hunger and fullness.
The benefits of this approach are increasingly supported by scientific research. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Obesity found that participants who practised mindful eating techniques lost significantly more weight than those who followed conventional diet plans. Moreover, the mindful eating group reported higher levels of satisfaction with their meals and were less likely to engage in binge eating. Researchers attribute these outcomes to the way mindfulness interrupts automatic eating patterns, giving individuals the mental space to make conscious choices about what and how much they consume.
Beyond weight management, mindful eating has been linked to improved digestion. When we eat slowly and chew thoroughly, the digestive process begins more effectively in the mouth, reducing the burden on the stomach and intestines. Nutritionists also point out that mindful eating can help individuals identify food intolerances and sensitivities, as paying close attention to how the body responds after meals makes it easier to spot patterns of discomfort.
Perhaps most importantly, mindful eating restores the pleasure of eating. In a culture that often treats food as fuel or, conversely, as a source of guilt, mindfulness encourages a balanced relationship with eating. By savouring each bite, we reconnect with the sensory richness of food — the crunch of a fresh apple, the warmth of a bowl of soup, the complex bitterness of dark chocolate. This, advocates argue, is not indulgence but a form of respect for the nourishment we receive.
Critics of mindful eating suggest that it is impractical for people with busy schedules, and that its emphasis on individual behaviour ignores the structural factors that shape eating habits, such as food deserts and aggressive marketing of unhealthy products. Proponents acknowledge these limitations but maintain that mindfulness is a tool, not a panacea. Even small moments of attention — taking three conscious breaths before a meal, or putting down one's fork between bites — can shift one's relationship with food in meaningful ways.

Question 16 [2 marks]

From paragraph 1, identify two problems that the writer associates with "mindless consumption."

(i) ___________________________________________________________________________

(ii) ___________________________________________________________________________

Question 17 [2 marks]

Using your own words, explain what is meant by "tuning in to the body's signals of hunger and fullness" (lines 7–8).

Question 18 [2 marks]

With reference to paragraph 3, explain how mindful eating helps individuals lose weight. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Question 19 [3 marks]

The writer states that mindful eating "restores the pleasure of eating" (line 22). Explain how the language in paragraph 5 supports this claim. Analyse at least two examples.

Question 20 [16 marks]

Summary Writing

Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5 only, summarise the benefits of mindful eating as presented by the writer.

Your summary must:

Be in continuous writing (not note form)
Be no longer than 80 words (not counting the opening words provided)
Use your own words as far as possible

The benefits of mindful eating include _______________________________________________________________________________

END OF PAPER

Answers

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - English Secondary 4

ANSWER KEY AND MARKING SCHEME

Subject: English Language (1184) Level: Secondary 4 Paper: Paper 2 – Comprehension Version: 3 of 5 Total Marks: 50

Section A: Texts 1 and 2 [5 marks]

Question 1 [1 mark]

Answer: "the silence of the forest was not peaceful but watchful" OR "as if the trees themselves were waiting for me to make a mistake"

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for any phrase that conveys the forest as intimidating, threatening, or unwelcoming.
Accept: "watchful," "waiting for me to make a mistake," or the full clause.
Do not accept: "dense beech forest" or "fragments of sky" (these are descriptive but not intimidating).

Question 2 [1 mark]

Answer: Regretful / Doubtful / Anxious / Self-critical

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for a tone word that captures the writer's second-guessing of their decision.
Accept: "regretful," "doubtful," "anxious," "self-critical," "apprehensive."
Do not accept: "angry," "sad," "frustrated" (these do not match the self-questioning nature of the phrase).

Question 3 [1 mark]

Answer: The subtitle conveys that guided tours offer a deeper, more authentic experience because local guides provide cultural and ecological knowledge that self-guided hikers would miss.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for an answer that links the subtitle to the idea of insider/local knowledge providing richer experience.
Accept: "Guided tours let you experience the land through local expertise," "You get more than just hiking — you get cultural understanding."
Do not accept: Answers that only mention safety or convenience without referencing knowledge/experience.

Question 4 [1 mark]

Answer: The "Emergency Support" feature (24/7 satellite communication) would most appeal to someone who values safety because it ensures help is always available in case of an emergency.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying "Emergency Support" or "24/7 satellite communication" AND providing a reason linked to safety.
Accept: "Emergency support because it means you can get help anytime," "24/7 satellite communication ensures you're never stranded."
Do not accept: Answers that identify other features without linking them to safety.

Question 5 [1 mark]

Answer: The writer creates a contrast by describing the forest as threatening ("watchful," "waiting for me to make a mistake") and the ridge as liberating ("the fear evaporated," "the valley spread out below me like a crumpled green carpet"). The shift from fear to awe emphasises the transformative power of reaching the summit.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying the contrast between the forest (fear/intimidation) and the ridge (relief/awe) with at least one piece of evidence from each.
Accept: Any clear contrast with supporting textual evidence.
Do not accept: Answers that only describe one side of the contrast or provide no evidence.

Section B: Text 3 [20 marks]

Question 6 [1 mark]

Answer: "groaned" OR "mournful"

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for either "groaned" or "mournful."
Both words suggest unhappiness/discomfort.
Do not accept: "complaint" (this is what the sound is compared to, not the word itself describing the sound).

Question 7 [1 mark]

Answer: The phrase suggests that the garden has been completely overtaken by weeds and disorder, implying that it has been neglected for a long time and is no longer controlled or maintained.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for an answer that conveys loss of control, neglect, or abandonment.
Accept: "The garden is no longer cared for," "It has become wild and overgrown," "It has been abandoned to nature."
Do not accept: Simple restatement ("It became chaotic") without explanation.

Question 8 [2 marks]

Answer: The writer uses vivid imagery to highlight the garden's neglect. The phrase "surrendered to chaos" personifies the garden as having given up, suggesting it was once orderly but has now been abandoned. Additionally, the description of the rose bushes as "skeletal" with branches "clawing at the air like arthritic fingers" uses simile and personification to convey death, decay, and the painful deterioration of something that was once beautiful.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark per explained example (maximum 2 marks).
Acceptable examples:
- "surrendered to chaos" — suggests loss of control/abandonment
- "weeds had swallowed the flowerbeds" — suggests the weeds have completely taken over
- "skeletal" rose bushes — suggests death/decay
- "clawing at the air like arthritic fingers" — suggests painful deterioration
Award marks for identifying the language feature AND explaining its effect.
Do not award marks for listing examples without explanation.

Question 9 [1 mark]

Answer: This detail suggests that Maya has grown up or gained new perspectives since she last saw the house. What once seemed large to her as a child now appears diminished, reflecting her changed perception as an adult, or perhaps the house's diminished significance in her life.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for an answer that links the changed perception to Maya's growth, maturity, or changed circumstances.
Accept: "She has grown up and sees things differently," "The house has lost its childhood grandeur," "Her perspective has changed with age and experience."
Do not accept: "The house actually shrank" (literal interpretation).

Question 10 [2 marks]

Answer: The sentence is effective because it uses sensory details — sight ("wrinkled and darkening") and smell ("fermented scent of decay") — to create a vivid image of neglect and the passage of time. The oranges, which were once fresh and regularly replaced by Maya's mother, are now rotting, symbolising the absence of her mother's care and the decay of the home. The word "fermented" suggests a slow, ongoing process of deterioration, reinforcing the sense that the house has been abandoned for a long time.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying sensory language (sight/smell) and explaining its effect.
Award 1 mark for linking the rotting oranges to the theme of loss/absence/decay.
Accept: References to symbolism of the oranges representing the mother's absence, the passage of time, or the decay of the home.
Do not award full marks for answers that only describe the oranges without linking to loss.

Question 11 [1 mark]

Answer: The description creates an eerie, haunting atmosphere. By comparing the covered furniture to "ghostly shapes," the writer suggests that the house feels haunted by memories of the past, and the word "huddled" implies the furniture seems to be seeking comfort or protection, reinforcing the sense of abandonment and loneliness.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for an answer that explains the eerie/haunting effect of the simile.
Accept: "It makes the house feel haunted," "It creates a spooky atmosphere," "It suggests the furniture is like ghosts of the past."
Do not accept: Answers that only identify the simile without explaining its effect.

Question 12 [2 marks]

Answer: The description suggests that Maya is overwhelmed by grief and loneliness. The silence is not merely the absence of sound but feels oppressive and tangible, as if it is pressing down on her. This personification of silence reflects the emotional weight of her loss — the absence of her father's voice makes the silence feel heavy and inescapable, emphasising her profound sense of emptiness.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying Maya's emotional state (grief, loneliness, emptiness, being overwhelmed).
Award 1 mark for explaining how the personification of silence conveys this emotion (silence as heavy, oppressive, tangible).
Accept: "The silence represents her grief," "The weight of the silence mirrors the weight of her loss."
Do not award full marks for answers that only describe the silence without linking to Maya's emotions.

Question 13 [1 mark]

Answer: Poignant / Melancholic / Wistful / Haunting

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for a tone word that captures the bittersweet, sad, or haunting quality of the sentence.
Accept: "poignant," "melancholic," "wistful," "haunting," "elegiac."
Do not accept: "happy," "hopeful," "angry," "frightening."

Question 14 [2 marks]

Answer: The writer uses sensory details throughout the text to create a mood of abandonment. For example, the auditory detail of the gate that "groaned on its hinges" (sound) suggests neglect and disuse. The olfactory detail of the "fermented scent of decay" from the rotting oranges (smell) reinforces the sense that the house has been left untouched for a long time. The visual detail of furniture "draped in white sheets" like "ghostly shapes" (sight) creates an image of a house that has been closed up and abandoned. Together, these sensory details immerse the reader in the atmosphere of neglect.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark per explained example (maximum 2 marks).
Acceptable examples:
- Sound: groaning gate, echoing footsteps
- Smell: dust, fermented oranges
- Sight: peeling paint, cracked window, skeletal roses, ghostly furniture
- Touch: weight of suitcase, worn fabric on armchair
Award marks for identifying the sensory detail AND explaining how it contributes to the mood of abandonment.
Do not award marks for listing examples without explanation.

Question 15 [2 marks]

Answer: The text suggests that Maya had a close, affectionate relationship with her father. She remembers him reading aloud to her, pausing to explain difficult words and laughing at clever passages, which indicates patience, warmth, and shared enjoyment. The detail that she sits in his armchair and can "almost hear his voice" shows that his presence is deeply missed and that the memory of him is vivid and comforting. The worn fabric on the armrests, worn thin by "his hands," suggests that this was his habitual spot, making his absence more poignant.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying the close/affectionate nature of the relationship.
Award 1 mark for supporting evidence from the text.
Accept: References to the father reading aloud, explaining words, laughing, the worn armrests, Maya sitting in his chair and remembering his voice.
Do not award full marks for answers that state the relationship without evidence.

Section C: Text 4 [25 marks]

Question 16 [2 marks]

Answer: (i) Overeating (ii) Poor digestion (Also accept: Diminished enjoyment of food)

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for each correct problem identified (maximum 2 marks).
Accept: "overeating," "poor digestion," "diminished enjoyment of food."
Do not accept: "scrolling through phones," "answering emails" (these are examples of mindless consumption, not the problems it causes).

Question 17 [2 marks]

Answer: The phrase means paying attention to and recognising the physical sensations that indicate when one is genuinely hungry and when one has eaten enough. It involves listening to the body's natural cues rather than eating out of habit, boredom, or emotional reasons.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for explaining "signals of hunger" (recognising when one needs to eat).
Award 1 mark for explaining "signals of fullness" (recognising when one has eaten enough).
Accept: Answers that convey awareness of the body's natural cues for starting and stopping eating.
Do not accept: Answers that only paraphrase without explaining the meaning.

Question 18 [2 marks]

Answer: According to paragraph 3, mindful eating helps individuals lose weight because it "interrupts automatic eating patterns," which gives people "the mental space to make conscious choices about what and how much they consume." This means that instead of eating mindlessly or out of habit, individuals become more aware of their eating decisions, leading to better portion control and healthier food choices.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying the mechanism (interrupting automatic eating patterns / creating mental space for conscious choices).
Award 1 mark for explaining how this leads to weight loss (better choices, portion control).
Accept: References to the 2018 study as supporting evidence.
Do not award full marks for answers that only mention the study without explaining the mechanism.

Question 19 [3 marks]

Answer: The writer uses sensory and emotive language in paragraph 5 to support the claim that mindful eating restores pleasure. For example, the phrase "the crunch of a fresh apple, the warmth of a bowl of soup, the complex bitterness of dark chocolate" uses specific sensory details (sound, temperature, taste) to evoke the rich, enjoyable experience of eating mindfully. This appeals to the reader's senses and makes the pleasure of food feel tangible. Additionally, the writer contrasts this with the negative framing of food in modern culture — "food as fuel or... as a source of guilt" — to emphasise that mindful eating offers a healthier, more joyful alternative. The word "savouring" suggests taking time to fully appreciate each bite, reinforcing the idea of restored pleasure.

Marking notes:

Award 1 mark for identifying sensory language (crunch, warmth, bitterness) and explaining its effect.
Award 1 mark for identifying the contrast with negative cultural attitudes toward food.
Award 1 mark for explaining how the language overall supports the claim of restored pleasure.
Accept: Analysis of "savouring," "reconnect," "sensory richness," or "respect for the nourishment."
Do not award full marks for answers that only list examples without analysis.

Question 20: Summary Writing [16 marks]

Marking Scheme:

The summary is assessed based on two components:

Component 1: Content (8 marks) Award 1 mark for each distinct benefit of mindful eating identified from paragraphs 2–5, up to a maximum of 8 marks.

Acceptable content points (from paragraphs 2–5 only):

From paragraph 2:

Paying full attention to the experience of eating
Noticing colours, textures, and aromas of food
Chewing slowly and deliberately
Tuning in to the body's signals of hunger and fullness

From paragraph 3: 5. Significant weight loss / more effective than conventional diets 6. Higher levels of satisfaction with meals 7. Less likely to engage in binge eating 8. Interrupts automatic eating patterns / creates mental space for conscious choices

From paragraph 4: 9. Improved digestion 10. Digestive process begins more effectively in the mouth 11. Reduced burden on stomach and intestines 12. Helps identify food intolerances and sensitivities 13. Easier to spot patterns of discomfort

From paragraph 5: 14. Restores the pleasure of eating 15. Encourages a balanced relationship with eating 16. Reconnects with the sensory richness of food 17. Savouring each bite

Note: Points must be from paragraphs 2–5 only. Points from paragraphs 1 or 6 are not eligible for content marks.

Component 2: Language (8 marks)

Band	Marks	Descriptors
5	7–8	Excellent paraphrasing; sustained and largely accurate use of own words; clear and coherent organisation; meaning fully clear throughout.
4	5–6	Good paraphrasing; mostly accurate use of own words; generally clear organisation; meaning clear with occasional lapses.
3	3–4	Some attempt at paraphrasing; some use of own words but significant lifting from the text; organisation is adequate; meaning generally clear.
2	1–2	Limited paraphrasing; heavy reliance on text lifting; organisation is weak; meaning is sometimes unclear.
1	0	Mindless lifting from the text; no attempt at paraphrasing; meaning is unclear.

Word Limit:

The summary must not exceed 80 words (excluding the opening words provided).
If the summary exceeds 80 words, read only up to the 80th word and assess based on that portion.
Proper nouns, numbers, and hyphenated words count as one word each.

Sample Model Answer (80 words):

The benefits of mindful eating include paying full attention to the eating experience, noticing food's colours, textures, and aromas, and chewing slowly while recognising hunger and fullness cues. It leads to significant weight loss, greater meal satisfaction, and reduced binge eating by interrupting automatic consumption patterns. It improves digestion by starting the process effectively in the mouth and reducing strain on the digestive system. It also helps identify food sensitivities and restores the enjoyment of eating by reconnecting people with food's sensory richness.

(Word count: 80)

END OF ANSWER KEY