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English Form 2 Question Paper
English Form 2
Course:Secondary Level
Institution: Kcse question papers
Exam Year:2005
DANDORA SECONDARY SCHOOL
FORM 2
TERM 3
ENGLISH CAT 1
READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL
But I was still shy half paralyzed when in the presence of crowd, and my first day at the new school made me the laughing stock of the classroom. I was sent to the blackboard to write my name and address, I knew my name and address, knew how to write it, knew how to spell it; but standing at the blackboard with the eyes of the many girls and boys looking at my back made me freeze inside and I was unable to quote a single letter.
"Write your name," the teacher called to me.
I lifted the white chalk to the blackboard and, as I was about to write, my mind went blank, empty; I could not remember my name, not even the first letter. Somebody giggled and i stiffened.
"Just forget us and write your name and address," the teacher coaxed.
An impulse to write would flash through me, but my hand would refuse to move. The children began to titer and I flushed hotly.
"Don''t you know your name?" the teacher asked.
I looked at her and could not answer. The teacher rose and walked to my side, smiling at me to give confidence. She placed her hand tenderly upon my shoulder.
"What''s your name?" she asked.
"Richard."I whispered.
"Richard what?"
"Richard Wright."
"Spell it."
I spelled my name in a wild rush of letters, trying desperately to redeem my paralysing shyness.
"Spell it slowly so I can here it," she directed me.
Again I turned to the blackboard and lifted my hand to write, then I was blank and void within. I tried frantically to collect myself but I could remember nothing.
I realised how utterly I was failing and I grew weak, and leaned my hot forehead against the blackboard.
The room burst into a loud prolong laugh and my muscles froze.
"You may go to your seat," the teacher said.
I sat and cursed myself. Why did I always appear so dumb when I was called to perform something in a crowd? I knew how to write as well as any pupil in the classroom, and no doubt I could read better than any of them, and I could talk fluently and expressive when I was sure of myself.
Then why did strange faces make me freeze? I sat with my ears and neck burning, hearing the pupils whisper about me, hating myself hating them.
Questions.
1. Explain the meaning of the following as they are used in this passage (3mks)
a. Laughing stock
b. Coaxed
c. Dumb
2. List five things the teacher did to try to reassure Richard Wright and encouraged him to write. (5mks)
3. Explain briefly why Richard did not write his name on the board. (3mks)
4. A paradox is a statement or situation which is self-contradictory. Here, the author tries to convey to us the paradox of a young man who is able to write being unable to do so on this occasion. What choice of images in this excerpt help to underline this paradox? (4mks)
5. The reaction of the students in the class went through four distant stages while Richard stood at the blackboard. List these stages in order, quoting words or phrases from the passage (4mks)
6. Explain in your own words in what way the behaviour of the teacher contrast with that of the other members of the class (2mks)
GRAMMAR
FILL IN THE BLANK SPACES IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BY UNDERLINING THE CORRECT ALTERNATIVE FROM THE WORDS GIVEN AT THE END OF EACH.
a. The ________ part of the book shows signs of hurry (later, latter)
b. His ________ brother is in the civil service (older, elder)
c. No ________ reasons were given (father, further)
d. The ________ time I say him, he was in high spirits (last, later)
e. This is the ________ post office to my house (nearest, next)
2. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
a. Even though he worked very hard, he still did not pass the examination (Begin Despite)
b. He is poor. He finds life very pleasant. (Combine the sentences without using and, but, or so)
c. Susan is talke than Jane (Use shorter)
d. "Did I close the gate?" he wondered. (begin: He wondered)
e. I have never seen a more beautiful girl (Begin: This is )
4. Write out the following passage using the active or passive form of the words in brackets in their correct tenses.
In recent years there has (be) great advances in technology. Jobs which (do) hand ten years ago can now (do) by machines. Unfortunately in some countries this development (causes) unemployment but most people (believe) now that it (benefit) economy in the long term.
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