Coms 110 2009/2010 Academic Year Y1s1 Question Paper
Coms 110 2009/2010 Academic Year Y1s1
Course:Bachelor Of Theology
Institution: Kabarak University question papers
Exam Year:2010
COURSE CODE: COMS 110
COURSE TITLE: COMMUNICATION SKILLS I
STREAM: Y1S1
DAY: SATURDAY
TIME: 9.00 – 11.00 A.M.
DATE: 07/08/2010
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. There are four sections in this question paper (A,B,C&D)
2. Answer question from ALL the sections.
3. Read and follow instructions given at the beginning of each section.
4. Your answers should be supported by illustrations
SECTION A (COMPULSORY) – 20 MARKS
Answer ALL questions from this section
QUESTION ONE
(a) Giving examples, identify and explain any three resource materials found in the
reference section (12 marks)
(b) Advice the following readers on the type of reading to choose
(i) A chef who would like to know how to bake a cake.
(ii) A reader who is looking for a textbook in the library which contains information on
effects of colonization in Africa.
(iii) A reader who is looking for the causes of obesity in a passage
(iv) A student who is reading for the CASNEB exams (4marks)
(c) The following information was retrieved from the internet. Arrange according to how it
would appear in an APA reference list. Punctuate correctly. A Long Journey to Freedom
2000 wley C.K July 20 2010 http://www Freedom corner .net.au (3marks)
(d) What is reference list? (1 mark)
SECTION B (COMPULSORY) 20 MARKS
Answer ALL questions from this section
QUESTION TWO
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow
Life Begins at both conception and at birth.
Early last week, the NCCK declared that Christians would vote against the draft constitution if,
among other things, it contains provision for the Khadi’s courts. This opinion is not new, and it
agrees with the views that have been doing the rounds in cyberspace and elsewhere among
members of the Christian right. Three main reasons are cited by these elements for rejection of
the draft constitution.
The proposed constitution purportedly contains provisions for Sharia law. To demonstrate just
how bad this law is for Christians, someone even pointed out to me that a provision in the said draft provides for the prosecution and jailing of Christians who proselytize Muslims. Many are
utterly convinced that this clause will be included in the final draft of the proposed constitution,
and this conviction forms one of the basis of their antagonism towards the document.
It is also claimed that the draft contains provisions allowing for same sex marriage. This belief
apparently stems from the “fact” that the writers of this draft have failed to clearly define
marriage as a union between two adults of opposite sexes. Many Christian leaders urge that this
leaves a loophole that could be exploited to allow homosexuals to form legal unions.
Another reason being given for being against the forthcoming draft constitution is that it fails to
define when life begins, and thus allows for abortion. Many insist that the constitution must
explicitly state that life begins at conception in order to protect the life of the unborn.
It is difficult to tell if the reason advanced by these Christians coincides with those of NCCK, but
it seem clear that there is concurrence with the churches that the proposed constitution ought to
be rejected if it does not address the issue raised above. Indeed, in the case of many, it is a
foregone conclusion that these issues will not be addressed and, therefore, their minds are made
up to vote “No” at the referendum.
Concerning the issue of Kadhi’s courts, there are even suggestions that there is a grand scheme
by Muslims to take over power in this country by using Sharia law and practically forceful
conversion of non-Muslims. It can only be surmised that the source of these messages is the
same one that insists that neglecting to mention that life begins at point X is tantamount to
legalizing abortion, and that ignoring same-sex relationships is the same as allowing them. If
even well educated Kenyans strongly believe these assertions to be true, what of their less
exposed relatives in the village? These relatives look up to their “elite” to correctly interpret the
draft for them, and to practically tell them how to vote come the referendum.
To put this discussion in perspective, it is important to assert here that there is as yet no ready
draft constitution for submissions to Kenyans in a referendum. All we currently have is the
revised harmonized draft constitution that was handed over to the parliamentary select
Committee on the constitution by the Committee of Experts. Additionally, we have a statement
from the select committee indicating the areas in the draft they would like to see revised further
in order to arrive at consensus in the political class.
There is simply no parliamentary select Committee draft constitution for debate by Kenyans.
Purporting to take positions based on information being discussed in the media is at best
premature, and at worst betrays an attitude dead set against any changes to the status quo in this
country. The “facts” as stated by the Christian right concerning the role of kadhi’s courts and gay
marriages are in fact gross distortions of reality, and are only meant to instill fear in most non-
Muslims and other conservatives in order to defeat the draft constitution.
The “concerns” being raised about abortion are similarly possible that red herrings aim at
scuttling the whole review process. Clerics, philosophers and scientist are still grappling with the
issue of the origin of life, and Kenyan clerics cannot support to have received divine revelation
about this.
It is true that “life” begins at conception. Some would even go as far as asserting that life does
not begin or end, since the transmission of genetic material is a continuous process from one
generation to another. Either way, it is pointless to discuss when life begins when the issue at
hand is why women are having abortions, and how to help reduce and eradicate abortions, and
how to help reduce and eradicate them.
Kenyans should just wait for the draft constitution and interrogate it on its own merits, without
unnecessary bigotry and prejudice. If it means ignoring the unsolicited advice from religious
leaders, so be it. (Adopted from the Daily Nation)
1. The writer uses the acronym NCCK. Give the full word for the acronym. (2 marks)
2. Give three reasons that Christians have for rejecting the harmonized draft constitution
(3 marks)
3. What is marriage according to the Christians? (2 marks)
4. Give the meaning of the following words according to their uses in the passage.
i) Loophole
ii) Referendum
iii) Grand
iv) Elite
v) Status quo (5 marks)
5. Why does the author write concerns in quotes (“concern”)? (2 marks)
6. There are certain things that are compared in the passage. Identify one comparison and
explain what it means (2 marks)
7. What is the piece of advice that the author is giving Kenyans? (2 marks)
8. Two types of reading that a reader would apply when reading this passage is skimming
and scanning. Give one difference between the two types of reading. (2 marks)
SECTION C (Answer only ONE question from this section) - 15 MARKS
QUESTION THREE
Human beings posses certain characteristics that make them poor listeners (15 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
You are watching a world cup match in the hostel. Using examples explain any five limitations
that may arise. (15 marks)
SECTION D (Answer only ONE question from this section) – 15 MARKS
QUESTION FIVE
(a) You have been asked to present an award to an award winner. Explain four points that
you ought to include in your speech (12 marks)
(b) Name any three things that would tell you that your audience above are attentive
(3 marks)
QUESTION SIX
a) Describe a paragraph that has each of the following features. Write a four sentence
paragraph to illustrate each feature
i) coherence
ii) unity (14 marks)
b) Define an essay (1 mark)
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