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Secondary 4 English Preliminary Examination Paper 3
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Questions
TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) - Preliminary Examination
TuitionGoWhere Secondary School (AI)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024
SECONDARY 4
ENGLISH LANGUAGE (1184)
PAPER 2: COMPREHENSION
Version 3 of 5
Name: ________________________
Class: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Marks: 50
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
- Write your name, class, and date in the spaces provided.
- Answer all questions.
- This paper consists of four texts (Texts 1, 2, 3, and 4).
- The total mark for this paper is 50.
SECTION A (5 marks)
Read Texts 1 and 2 and answer the questions that follow.
Text 1: Excerpt from a Blog Post on Urban Gardening
"Many city dwellers believe that growing your own food is impossible without a sprawling backyard. This is a myth. With vertical planters and hydroponic systems, even the smallest balcony can become a productive green space. The initial setup might seem daunting, but the reward of harvesting your own basil or cherry tomatoes is unmatched. It’s not just about the food; it’s about reclaiming a slice of nature in the concrete jungle."
Text 2: Infographic Caption
Figure 1: A diagram showing a vertical garden system attached to a small apartment balcony. The caption reads: "Maximizing Space: How one square meter can yield 5kg of produce annually."
1. What is the main purpose of Text 1? [1]
2. Refer to Text 1, line 4: "The initial setup might seem daunting..."
What does the word daunting suggest about the reader’s likely feeling? [1]
3. With reference to Text 2, how does the infographic support the claim made in Text 1? [1]
4. What is the tone of the phrase "reclaiming a slice of nature" in Text 1, line 6? [1]
5. Based on both texts, identify one benefit of urban gardening that is not related to food production. [1]
SECTION B (20 marks)
Read Text 3 and answer the questions that follow.
Text 3: The Last Watchmaker
The shop smelled of oil, old wood, and time itself. Elias sat hunched over his workbench, a monocle screwed tightly into his right eye socket. His hands, usually steady as stone, trembled slightly as he picked up the tweezers. Before him lay the heart of the grandfather clock, a intricate maze of brass gears and springs that had stopped beating three days ago.
"It’s not just a machine, Elias," his apprentice, Julian, had said earlier that morning, leaning against the doorframe. "It’s history. The Mayor’s grandfather bought it. If you can’t fix it, you’re not just losing a customer; you’re erasing a memory."
Elias ignored him. He focused on the escapement mechanism. It was a delicate thing, no larger than a fingernail, yet it held the rhythm of the entire house. He held his breath. The world outside—the honking cars, the construction drills, the relentless digital beep of smartphones—faded into a dull hum. Here, in this dusty sanctuary, only the tick mattered. Or rather, the lack of it.
He inserted the tweezers. Click. A tiny gear slipped into place. He exhaled, a long, shuddering breath. He wound the key. Silence. Then, a faint tock. Another tock. The rhythm returned, slow and steady, like a waking heartbeat.
Julian appeared at the door again, eyes wide. "You did it."
Elias didn’t smile. He simply nodded, wiping his hands on a rag that was more grease than fabric. "It’s not about doing it," he murmured, his voice rough from disuse. "It’s about listening. The clock tells you what’s wrong if you stop shouting over it."
He looked out the window. The city was changing. Glass towers rose where brick houses once stood. People walked faster, looked at screens, not faces. They wanted instant fixes, digital replacements. But Elias knew that some things couldn’t be downloaded. They had to be mended, piece by painstaking piece.
The clock chimed the hour. A deep, resonant bong that seemed to shake the dust from the shelves. For a moment, the modern world outside paused, held in check by the old world inside. Elias closed his eyes and listened. It was the only conversation he wanted to have.
6. In paragraph 1, what evidence is there that Elias is finding the repair difficult? [1]
7. "It’s history. The Mayor’s grandfather bought it." (Paragraph 2)
What does this statement suggest about Julian’s attitude towards the clock? [1]
8. Explain how the writer creates a contrast between the environment inside the shop and the world outside in paragraph 3. [2]
9. "He exhaled, a long, shuddering breath." (Paragraph 4)
Why does the writer use the word shuddering here? [1]
10. With reference to paragraph 5, explain what Elias means by "It’s about listening." [2]
11. "The city was changing. Glass towers rose where brick houses once stood." (Paragraph 6)
What is the effect of this short sentence structure? [2]
12. Identify two details from paragraph 6 that show Elias’s disapproval of modern life. [2]
(i) ___________________________________________________________________
(ii) ___________________________________________________________________
13. "It was the only conversation he wanted to have." (Paragraph 7)
What does this final sentence reveal about Elias’s character? [2]
14. Find a word in paragraph 1 that means complex or complicated. [1]
15. How does the writer use sensory imagery in the first sentence of the text to establish the atmosphere? [2]
16. "If you can’t fix it, you’re not just losing a customer; you’re erasing a memory." (Paragraph 2)
Explain the effectiveness of the word erasing in this context. [2]
SECTION C (25 marks)
Read Text 4 and answer the questions that follow.
Text 4: The Rise of "Slow Travel"
In an era of bucket-list tourism, where the goal is to check off as many landmarks as possible in the shortest time, a counter-movement is gaining traction: Slow Travel. Advocates argue that true immersion requires time, patience, and a willingness to disconnect from the rigid itinerary.
Unlike traditional tourism, which often treats destinations as backdrops for selfies, Slow Travel encourages visitors to live like locals. This might mean staying in one neighborhood for a week, shopping at local markets, and learning a few phrases of the local language. The focus shifts from seeing to being.
Proponents of Slow Travel highlight several benefits. First, it reduces the carbon footprint associated with constant movement. Second, it supports local economies more directly, as travelers spend money at small businesses rather than international hotel chains. Finally, it offers a mental health boost. The pressure to "do everything" is replaced by the joy of discovering hidden gems at a leisurely pace.
Critics, however, argue that Slow Travel is a privilege of the wealthy. Not everyone has the luxury of taking two weeks off work to stay in one place. For many, a whirlwind tour is the only way to maximize limited vacation days. Furthermore, some argue that "living like a local" is a myth; tourists, no matter how long they stay, remain outsiders looking in.
Despite the criticism, the trend persists. Travel agencies are now offering "immersion packages," and social media influencers are posting less about famous monuments and more about quiet cafes and local interactions. Whether this is a lasting shift or a fleeting trend remains to be seen, but it certainly challenges the conventional wisdom of travel.
17. What is the main purpose of Text 4? [1]
18. Refer to paragraph 1. What is the tone of the phrase "check off as many landmarks as possible"? [1]
19. With reference to paragraph 3, explain two benefits of Slow Travel. [2]
(i) ___________________________________________________________________
(ii) ___________________________________________________________________
20. Summary Writing
You are writing an article for your school magazine about "The Rise of Slow Travel."
Based on Text 4, write a summary of the benefits and criticisms of Slow Travel.
Your summary should:
- Explain the benefits of Slow Travel.
- Explain the criticisms of Slow Travel.
- Be written in your own words as far as possible.
- Be no more than 80 words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 marks for the quality of your writing.
[End of Paper]
Answers
TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) - Answer Key
SECONDARY 4 ENGLISH LANGUAGE (1184)
PAPER 2: COMPREHENSION
Version 3 of 5
SECTION A (5 marks)
1. What is the main purpose of Text 1? [1]
Answer: To persuade readers that urban gardening is possible/easy/rewarding even in small spaces.
Marking Notes: Accept "To encourage city dwellers to try gardening." Do not accept "To describe a garden."
2. Refer to Text 1, line 4: "The initial setup might seem daunting..." What does the word daunting suggest about the reader’s likely feeling? [1]
Answer: Intimidated / Overwhelmed / Apprehensive / Nervous.
Marking Notes: Must be a feeling of fear or hesitation. "Hard" is incorrect (that describes the task, not the feeling).
3. With reference to Text 2, how does the infographic support the claim made in Text 1? [1]
Answer: It provides concrete evidence/statistics (5kg of produce from one square meter) that proves small spaces can be productive.
Marking Notes: Must link the visual data to the text's claim about small spaces being productive.
4. What is the tone of the phrase "reclaiming a slice of nature" in Text 1, line 6? [1]
Answer: Hopeful / Inspirational / Positive / Empowering.
Marking Notes: "Happy" is too vague. "Proud" is acceptable.
5. Based on both texts, identify one benefit of urban gardening that is not related to food production. [1]
Answer: Mental well-being / Connection to nature / Aesthetic improvement of the balcony.
Marking Notes: Text 1 mentions "reclaiming a slice of nature." Text 2 implies productivity but the question asks for non-food. "Beauty" is acceptable if inferred from "green space."
SECTION B (20 marks)
6. In paragraph 1, what evidence is there that Elias is finding the repair difficult? [1]
Answer: His hands "trembled slightly."
Marking Notes: Must quote or paraphrase the physical sign of difficulty. "He was hunched" is posture, not necessarily difficulty.
7. "It’s history. The Mayor’s grandfather bought it." (Paragraph 2) What does this statement suggest about Julian’s attitude towards the clock? [1]
Answer: He views it as valuable/significant/sentimental, not just an object.
Marking Notes: "Respectful" or "Reverent" is also acceptable.
8. Explain how the writer creates a contrast between the environment inside the shop and the world outside in paragraph 3. [2]
Answer: The writer contrasts the "dull hum" and silence inside with the "honking cars," "construction drills," and "digital beep" outside. This highlights the shop as a sanctuary of peace versus the chaotic, noisy modern world.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for identifying the contrasting elements (noise vs. silence/focus). 1 mark for explaining the effect (sanctuary vs. chaos).
9. "He exhaled, a long, shuddering breath." (Paragraph 4) Why does the writer use the word shuddering here? [1]
Answer: It suggests the release of intense tension/stress/anxiety that he had been holding while working.
Marking Notes: Must refer to the release of physical or emotional tension.
10. With reference to paragraph 5, explain what Elias means by "It’s about listening." [2]
Answer: He means that one must be patient and attentive to understand the problem. The clock "speaks" through its mechanics, and only by quieting oneself (stopping "shouting") can one hear the issue.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for patience/attention. 1 mark for the metaphorical meaning of understanding the object's needs.
11. "The city was changing. Glass towers rose where brick houses once stood." (Paragraph 6) What is the effect of this short sentence structure? [2]
Answer: The short, declarative sentences create a sense of abruptness and finality. It emphasizes the rapid, unstoppable nature of the change and Elias’s resignation to it.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for identifying the effect (abruptness/emphasis). 1 mark for linking to the theme of change/loss.
12. Identify two details from paragraph 6 that show Elias’s disapproval of modern life. [2]
Answer:
(i) People "looked at screens, not faces."
(ii) They wanted "instant fixes, digital replacements."
Marking Notes: Must be direct details from the text. "Glass towers" is a fact, not necessarily disapproval unless linked to "where brick houses once stood," but the behavioral critiques are stronger.
13. "It was the only conversation he wanted to have." (Paragraph 7) What does this final sentence reveal about Elias’s character? [2]
Answer: It reveals that he is introverted/isolated and prefers the company of objects/tradition over people. He feels disconnected from modern society.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for preference for solitude/objects. 1 mark for disconnection from society.
14. Find a word in paragraph 1 that means complex or complicated. [1]
Answer: intricate
Marking Notes: Must be the exact word.
15. How does the writer use sensory imagery in the first sentence of the text to establish the atmosphere? [2]
Answer: The writer uses olfactory imagery ("smelled of oil, old wood") to create a sense of age, tradition, and craftsmanship. It establishes a nostalgic and tactile atmosphere.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for identifying sensory type (smell). 1 mark for effect (age/tradition/nostalgia).
16. "If you can’t fix it, you’re not just losing a customer; you’re erasing a memory." (Paragraph 2) Explain the effectiveness of the word erasing in this context. [2]
Answer: "Erasing" suggests a permanent, complete removal, as if the memory never existed. It elevates the stakes from a simple business transaction to a loss of history/identity.
Marking Notes: 1 mark for meaning (permanent removal). 1 mark for impact (high stakes/history).
SECTION C (25 marks)
17. What is the main purpose of Text 4? [1]
Answer: To discuss/explain the trend of Slow Travel, including its benefits and criticisms.
Marking Notes: "To inform" is acceptable. "To persuade" is less accurate as it presents both sides.
18. Refer to paragraph 1. What is the tone of the phrase "check off as many landmarks as possible"? [1]
Answer: Critical / Disapproving / Sarcastic.
Marking Notes: The author is critiquing this approach.
19. With reference to paragraph 3, explain two benefits of Slow Travel. [2]
Answer:
(i) It reduces the carbon footprint/environmental impact.
(ii) It supports local economies/small businesses directly.
(Alternative: It offers a mental health boost/reduces pressure.)
Marking Notes: 1 mark for each distinct benefit. Must be from Paragraph 3.
20. Summary Writing [20 marks total: 15 for Content, 5 for Language]
Content Points (Indicative):
- Benefits:
- Reduces carbon footprint/environmental impact.
- Supports local economies/small businesses.
- Improves mental health/reduces pressure.
- Allows for deeper immersion/living like a local.
- Criticisms:
- It is a privilege of the wealthy (time/money).
- Not feasible for those with limited vacation days.
- "Living like a local" is a myth/tourists remain outsiders.
Marking Scheme for Content (15 marks):
- 13-15 marks: All 7 points covered clearly and concisely.
- 10-12 marks: 5-6 points covered.
- 7-9 marks: 3-4 points covered.
- 4-6 marks: 1-2 points covered.
- 1-3 marks: Vague or irrelevant information.
Marking Scheme for Language (5 marks):
- 5 marks: Excellent use of own words, coherent, within word limit (80 words).
- 4 marks: Good use of own words, mostly coherent, slight exceedance of word limit.
- 3 marks: Some own words, some lifting, coherent.
- 2 marks: Heavy lifting, disjointed.
- 1 mark: Incoherent or largely copied.
- 0 marks: No relevant content.
Sample Summary (for reference): Slow Travel offers environmental benefits by reducing carbon footprints and supports local economies through spending at small businesses. It also improves mental well-being by removing the pressure to rush. However, critics argue it is a privilege for the wealthy who can afford extended time off. Additionally, some believe that truly living like a local is impossible for tourists, who remain outsiders regardless of their stay’s duration.