a) Coinage: it involves invention of new words or new terms in a language. Some of the words that have been coined in English are nylon and aspirin.
b) Borrowing: it is the taking over of words from other languages. English has adopted a number of words from other languages. For example, it has borrowed ugali and leso from kiswahili, tycoon from Japanese and crotchet from French.
c) Blending: it involves combining two forms to produce a single new term. Blending involves taking only the beginning of a word and joining it to the end of the word. For example; smog_ smoke + fog. It has taken (sm) from smoke and (og) from fog.
d) Compounding: this includes joining of two separate words to produce a single form. For example; girlfriend, sunshine, breakfast and shopkeeper.
e) Back formation: a word of one type is introduced to form another word of different types. A noun can be reduced to a verb. For example; editor_edit, donation_donate, emotion_emote.
f) Derivation : this process is facilitated by use of affixes.
i) prefixes_ these are placed
before a word to form new
words.
For example precolonial is
derived
from colonial.
ii) suffixes_ they come at the end
of the word. For example
freedom from free.
g) conversion: this is a process which involves a change in the function of a word. One word can be used to mean two different things. For example the word bottle can be used as a noun or a verb.
This is a bottle (noun)
Bottle the juice for me (verb).
h) Clipping: it includes shortening words without changing their meanings. The beginning of a base word is usually maintained as a word. For example, advert from advertisement and fan from fanatic.
i) Acronyms: these are words formed from the initial letters of a group of words in a tittle or a phrase. For example NGO_ Non Governmental Organizations.
j) Multiple processes: This is where we have words whose formation is not pinned down to a particular word formation because it is formed out of more than one word formation. For example, the word FORD. FO_ clipped out of the word
forum.
RD_ comes from acronyms.
Merick answered the question on January 24, 2018 at 13:32
- The Novel Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider “Nani Flowers is the epicentre of humour in the story” Using illustrations from Witi Ihamaeras novel ‘The whale...(Solved)
The Novel Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider “Nani Flowers is the epicentre of humour in the story” Using illustrations from Witi Ihamaeras novel ‘The whale Rider’, write a composition in support of this statement.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Drama Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in The City. “In a state that is badly governed, it is the youth who face enormous problems” Drawing illustrations...(Solved)
Drama Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in The City. “In a state that is badly governed, it is the youth who face enormous problems” Drawing illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in The City, write a composition to support this statement.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- The Short Story Longhorn (Ed), When The Sun Goes Down and other stories. “Most human actions are influenced by fear” Using illustrations from Rayda...(Solved)
The Short Story Longhorn (Ed), When The Sun Goes Down and other stories. “Most human actions are influenced by fear” Using illustrations from Rayda Jacobs story “The Guilt”, Write a composition in support of the statement.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Add prefixes to the following words and write them out correctly.
i) Mobile………………… ii) Spell…………(Solved)
Add prefixes to the following words and write them out correctly.
i) Mobile………(ii) Spell………………
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- The following sentences are clumsy. Write an improved version of each one of them (4mks)
i) Running as hard as possible, my breath was hard.
ii) The...(Solved)
The following sentences are clumsy. Write an improved version of each one of them (4mks)
i) Running as hard as possible, my breath was hard.
ii) The mangoes were in a paper bag which we ate hungrily.
.
ii) I enjoy reading, acting and to farm.
iv) To clearly think at all times was her goal.
.........................................................
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Rewrite each of the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.Do not change the meaning. (5mks)
i) All the students of Sagam Secondary School...(Solved)
Rewrite each of the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.Do not change the meaning. (5mks)
i) All the students of Sagam Secondary School passed the examination.
(Begin: Not a.........)
ii) Mr. Anyiso was not surprised that Okota wrote the winning poem.
(Begin: That Okota….)
iii) Mary poured water on the new student’s bed. Mary assaulted the house captain.
(Use: Not only….)
iv) The boy was very hungry. He swallowed the food without chewing it.
(Begin: So…….)
v) If we do not keep the environment clean, the health officer will close our café.
(Rewrite using “Unless”)
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
3.
Long ago before man started taming any other animal apart from the dog, it was said that...(Solved)
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
3.
Long ago before man started taming any other animal apart from the dog, it was said that donkeys could also be tamed. This rumour was told by one man who went to the bush to hunt. After killing the animal he had hunted, he found that it was very heavy for him to carry alone. So he decided to find a way by which he could carry his prey. As he was still thinking, he saw a donkey pass nearby in the bush.
All of a sudden, an idea came to his head. He thought that if he took his prey and put it on the back of the donkey, it would help him carry his load. So he went after the donkey. He easily put the load on the back of this donkey for it did not attack him or run away.
He led the way until they reached his compound. After unloading the donkey, he gave it food and it ate with appreciation. From this time, this man started to keep the donkey.
This story went round that somebody had tamed a donkey. Soon the donkey was famous for its hard work throughout the village and its surroundings. People wanted to satisfy their curiosity. They soon set out to hunt for donkeys and use them to carry heavy loads.
Donkeys did not know what was going on up to this time. They came to understand only after most of their friends had been taken away. They started to hide very far in the bushes. But all was in vain! People had realized that donkeys were very useful animals. So they made special efforts to hunt as far as where the donkeys could be found.
This problem really worried the donkeys. Many of their kind had been captured. The rumours they heard were horrifying. Rumour had it that those donkeys which had been captured were working too much and they were given only food enough to keep them going.
Indeed, this was frightening. The rest of the donkeys decided to act quickly, lest they become victims of circumstances like their unfortunate friends. They, therefore, held an impromptu meeting. Here, they discussed what should be done about the whole problem. One donkey suggested that they should seek help from hare since he was known to be cunning and clever. All agreed that Hare should be asked for advice.
The next morning, the donkey representative went to see Hare. Hare was only too willing to help. Therefore, Hare asked him to tell all his friends to come to his compound early the next morning. This they did. As they arrived, they found Hare with whitewash in a huge can, ready to act.
As the donkeys were not so fast in thinking, they wondered how whitewash could have anything to do with their problem. Hare tried to explain but they seemed rather stubborn. Nobody was willing to be the first one to be started on. Finally, one donkey volunteered and stepped forward. Immediately, Hare set to work. He started painting stripes of whitewash on the donkey's skin. Soon the donkey had black-and -white stripes instead of being plain black or grey.
As the first donkey was painted over, the other donkeys admired him. They all started wishing that they could look like their friend. The moment that followed was full of struggle and scrambling over who should reach the paint first. The warning from Hare that they should be careful went unheeded. Hence, the struggling and fighting continued.
It happened that after a number of donkeys had been painted, one donkey pushed to the front with force and stepped in the bucket that contained the whitewash. The whole bucket overturned pouring out all the paint. This was the end of everything. The remaining donkeys were helpless because they were the unfortunate ones. Hare told them that he could not help them anymore because the fault had been theirs. And so, although the aggressive donkey was cursed for this bad act, nothing was done for their betterment, for the spilt paint could not be recovered.
Hence, those donkeys that had been painted were safe from the man's reach. They were the lucky ones and so they changed their name from donkeys to zebras. This name set them apart from the unfortunate donkeys which after this, were all captured by men.
and taken to work for them. They were less fortunate and that is why they had to maintain their name as donkeys.
Questions 1. What type of narrative is this? (2mks)
2. What evidences are there to show that this is an oral narrative? (3mks)
3. Briefly describe the character of
i) The Donkey. (2mks)
ii) The Hare (2mks)
4. In not more than 85 words, explain the steps that led the donkey to be a burden bearer.
Rough copy
Fair copy
Give an economic activity practiced by the community from which the story is derived.
6. It is very heavy for him to carry home. (Rewrite: Use too…)
7. Give a proverb to summarize the narrative.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the following extract and then answer the questions that follow.
Semo spoke again; "Brothers, people of Sakwa. We are happy to know you and hope...(Solved)
Read the following extract and then answer the questions that follow.
Semo spoke again; "Brothers, people of Sakwa. We are happy to know you and hope that soon we shall not just be friends but relatives as well. We have heard what you have said. We wish to know what bride price would please you."
"For this jewel there can be no price. Therefore we have decided to give her to you for free except for a token bull, two cows and six goats with which to furnish the requirements of Chik. The bull shall come to me in lieu of her father. The two cows and goats will be taken to Yimbo to the house of Oloo her grandmother's brother who in all ways was a father to the girl and her cousin and always provided for them." The aspiring suitors stared in disbelief. Held in readiness back in Seme were twenty four head of cattle, double the normal bride price which was the least they expected to be asked. Oloo had instructed his uncle to ask for a grace period of six months in which he would have looked for whatever else they would have demanded. And now this! They couldn't possibly give away such a girl for free. They must have something hidden up their sleeves. But they hadn't. He was just an incredibly lucky man and it was beginning to dawn on him.
Eventually everything was concluded and as conversation, food and kong'o flowed, Akoko asked her grandson-in-law to come and sit next to her. They talked at length and she was seen smiling and nodding her grey head frequently. At one point she burst into a wheezy breathless laughter and everybody's eyes turned towards them with interest. She was full of joy. She had lost one son to the white man's war; and by the grace of God she had gained another from the white man's army. Like Anna and Simeon of old she could now die in peace for her eyes had also seen the promise
i) Where does the above conversation take place? (2mks)
ii) Contrast the marriage negotiation presented here to that of Akoko earlier in the text. (2mks)
iii) Comment on any two styles evident in the passage. (6mks)
iv) From elsewhere in the novel, illustrate how Elizabeth is a jewel. (4mks)
v) ‘We wish to know what bride price would please you’ (Rewrite; add a question tag.) (1mk)
vi) Explain one theme evident in the extract. (3mks)
vii) What happens immediately after this? (3mks)
viii) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the passage. (4mks)
a) a token
b) in lieu
c) something hidden up their sleeves
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Frequently it is said, "No one reads anymore." 1have read this in newspapers and magazines and...(Solved)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Frequently it is said, "No one reads anymore." 1have read this in newspapers and magazines and heard it on television commentaries. And 1have heard teachers at my school complain that their students do not even read the work assigned in their textbooks. The students I spend most of my time around with seem to be reading constantly, and not always just their homework. Reading is a skill beyond price, and I see people profiting from it daily as they move through various types of reading based on the person's purpose.
The first category can be called required reading. Most people have some kind of regular required reading. At home we sort through mail find which may be valuable and which may be waste. At work many people have to read office communications. Of course, students are surrounded by books that they read and prove that they know on exams. Sometimes we resent the have-to part of this kind of reading, and sometimes the word "required" makes us want to put it aside. However, there is much to be gained in much required reading, and I have often seen the book that one person ploughs through another person embraces.
More pleasant for most people is the reading they choose for leisure and entertainment. Some people enjoy short stories and novels. Others prefer magazines that keep them informed on the world, on their profession, or on some special interest or hobby. People read daily newspapers and comic books. Many people find inspiration in the Bible and other religious books. The World Wide Web offers countless opportunities for fun reading. The greatest difference between reading in this category and that which is required seems to be freedom, the choice to read or not to read.
The most helpful for many people and the most enjoyable reading for me is the practical information found in how-to books and magazines. After examining this kind of material, people can immediately apply the knowledge to their everyday lives. For instance, they can learn how to cook delicious food, how to make a beautiful garden, how to take photographs well, and how to decorate a house. Because people have a personal interest, a clear goal, in practical reading, they can concentrate on it more than with much required reading. And I have noticed that, as with some required reading, how-to books can be interesting and fun for many people.
People, therefore, read for many reasons, and if they achieve their goal in any category of reading, then it can be said that they have profited. Even the least-preferred type of reading, that which is required, can be beneficial in many ways. It seems to me that people are still much involved with words and pages in books, magazines, and electronic sources, and how could this be otherwise since reading is the foundation of civilization? We may not like to do some kinds of reading, but all the knowledge that exists outside one person and the people he or she can immediately speak to is contained within books. The internet, which my generation is growing up with, is a vast library that offers a wealth of words to any who will pause to view them. I think truly that we are still in a reading world.
(Adapted from Ho-Chil Sung's "A Skill Beyond Price" in A writer's Workshop. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003)
Questions 1. How is reading a skill beyond price?
2. Why is “No one reads anymore” a common statement.
3. Students are surrounded by books that they read. (Rewrite: use a participle phrase.)
4. In note form, give examples of leisure reading given in the passage.
5. What is the difference between enjoying a short story and having to read office communications?
6. Provide another suitable word that could replace ‘examining’ in paragraph 4.
7. Identify the various categories of reading, according to the passage.
8. We may not like to do some kinds of reading, but all the knowledge that exists outside one person and the people he or she can immediately speak to is contained within books (Rewrite begin: Although……….
9. Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions as used in the passage.
i) Have - to
ii) Practical
iii) Foundation
iv) My generation is growing up with
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- The short story Ilieva and Olembo. When The Sun Goes Down
Civil strife is majorly to blame for the under development in Africa. Making reference to...(Solved)
The short story Ilieva and Olembo. When The Sun Goes Down
Civil strife is majorly to blame for the under development in Africa. Making reference to The War of the Ears by Moses Isegawa, discuss the validity of this statement.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- The Caucasian Chalk Circle “Abuse of power is rampant in a society that is at war. Citing illustrations from the play, write an essay in...(Solved)
The Caucasian Chalk Circle “Abuse of power is rampant in a society that is at war. Citing illustrations from the play, write an essay in support of the above statement.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Write two sentences to convey two different meaning of each of the followings word (2marks)
Bank
……(Solved)
Write two sentences to convey two different meaning of each of the followings word (2marks)
Bank
……
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Provide suitable question tags to the following statements (3marks)
i. Open the door.
ii. I am a student
iii. Let us go out …(Solved)
Provide suitable question tags to the following statements (3marks)
i. Open the door.
ii. I am a student
iii. Let us go out …
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Replace the underlined words with one word that means the same
i) She was sitting on a bench in church next to the preacher.
ii) Her...(Solved)
Replace the underlined words with one word that means the same
i) She was sitting on a bench in church next to the preacher.
ii) Her father sells exercise books, pens, pencils, papers and ruler.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Fill the blanks with the correct form of the word in brackets (3marks) i) Ochieng’s
………………………………………………(pronounce) is very good.
ii) What is your………………………………………(prefer)
iii) We were advised to...(Solved)
Fill the blanks with the correct form of the word in brackets (3marks) i) Ochieng’s
………………………………………………(pronounce) is very good.
ii) What is your………………………………………(prefer)
iii) We were advised to settle our conflict with…………………….(sober)
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Punctuate the following sentences correctly
i) The fisherman a very hardworking man made a large profit from the salesii) Most students have one aim in...(Solved)
Punctuate the following sentences correctly
i) The fisherman a very hardworking man made a large profit from the sales
ii) Most students have one aim in their studies to pass their examinations.
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Do not change the meaning (3marks)
i) He worked so well that everyone was...(Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Do not change the meaning (3marks)
i) He worked so well that everyone was impressed (begin so well..)
ii) The head of the family provides for her family. He also settles quarrels (begin Besides
iii) Mr. Matano was not surprised that Ndolo wrote the winning essay (begin That..)
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- NJABALA
Once upon a time, a man and his wife had a daughter. The girl’s name was Njabala and she was stunningly beautiful. But she was...(Solved)
NJABALA
Once upon a time, a man and his wife had a daughter. The girl’s name was Njabala and she was stunningly beautiful. But she was badly brought up, that girl. She was spoilt. She did not want to do any work in the shamba or around the house. All through her childhood, it
was her mother who cooked for her, washed and ironed her clothes for her, did everything for her. But Njabala’s beauty was beyond words.
Anyway, Njabala grew up and was soon ready for marriage. She married a young man who took her to his home. But of course she couldn't do any work. When the time came for her to go and work in shamba, she didn't know what to do. She put both her hands on her head and cried out:.
Mamma, mother-of-twins!
It's you who used to spoil me
Come and dig.
Whereupon the skeleton of her mother, who had died, suddenly appeared. It took the hoe and started clearing the shamba as it sang:
Njabala. this is the way women dig,
Njabala! Njabala. this is the way women dig,
Njabala! ;
Don't let me be caught by my in-laws. And it cleared a large patch of the shamba, from here to way. way out there. Then it disappeared back to the grave. This went on for quite some time. Every time Njabala went to the shamba. She would call our.
Mamma, Mother-of-twins!
It's you who used to spoil me
Come and dig,
Then the mother's little skeleton would come and clear the shamba, singing;
Njabala, this is the way women dig,
Njabala! Njabala, this is the way women dig,
Njabiala!
Don't let me be caught by my in-laws.
One day, however, a relative of Njabala's husband saw what was happening. She went and said to the husband. "You know what? The food we eat in this house is grown by skeletons”.
The husband said, “Oh dear, Oh dear!" The next day, he went and hid in the shamba. When Njabala arrived, she called out as usual.
Mamma, Mother-of-twins!
It's you who used to spoil me Come and dig.
The skeleton came and began to dig as it sang:
Njabala. this is the way women dig,
Njabala! .
But suddenly, the man leapt out of his hiding and dealt his mother-in-law's Skeleton a big blow with his stick. The skeleton disappeared immediately. Njabala was almost fainting with shame and shock. Her husband said to her angrily, "So this is what's been happening? You've been feeding us on food grown by skeletons?"
From that day on, Njabala learned to work saying, “What else can I do now that my mother has been beaten and driven away?” And so she became a hard-working woman.
I left her happy with her husband and the rich crop she was harvesting from her shamba, and I came back here. That is what I saw.
QUESTIONS
i) Which audience would this narrative be most appropriate for? Justify your answer. (2mks)
ii) State and explain two functions of song as an aspect of style in this narrative. (4marks)
iii) Apart from the song, identify three typical features of oral narratives evident in this narrative. (4marks)
iv) Using at least two expressions from the narrative, show evidence that the recorder remained true to live performance of the narrative. (4marks)
v) Identify any two behaviours that this narrative condemn. (4marks)
vi) Cite and explain a proverb from any community you are familiar with that comments on beauty. (2marks)
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below then answer all the questions that follow.
2.
(The procession turns into the gateway. Again the ADJUTANT lingers behind. He waits. Enter the...(Solved)
Read the extract below then answer all the questions that follow.
2.
(The procession turns into the gateway. Again the ADJUTANT lingers behind. He waits. Enter the wounded RIDER from the doorway. Two IRONSHIRTS of the Palace Guard have taken up positions by the gateway).
ADJUTANT (to RIDER): The Governor does not wish to receive military news before dinner-especially if it's depressing, as I assume. In the afternoon, His Excellency will confer with prominent architects They're coming to dinner too. And here they are! (Enter three gentlemen through the doorway). Go to the kitchen and eat, my friend. (As the RIDER
goes, the ADJUTANT greets the ARCHITECTS)4. Gentlemen, His Excellency expects you at dinner. He will devote all his time to you and your great new plans. Come! ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS: We marvel that His Excellency intends to build. There are disquieting rumours that the war in Persia has taken a turn for the worse.
ADJUTANT: All the more reason to build! There’s nothing to those rumours anyway. Persia is a long way off, and the garrison here would let itself be hacked to bits for its Governor. (Noise from the palace. The shrill scream of a woman. Someone is shouting orders, Dumbfounded, the ADJUTANT moves toward the gateway. An IRONSHIRT steps out, points his lance at him) What’s this? Put down that lance you dog.
ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS: It’s the prince! Don’t you know the princes met lasts night in the capital? And they’re against the Grand Duke and his Governors? Gentlemen, we’d better make ourselves scarce. (They rush off. The ADJUTANT remains helplessly behind). ADJUTANT (furiously to the palace Guard): Down with those lances! Don’t you see the Governors life is threatened? (The IRONSHIRTS of the palace guard refuse to obey. They stare coldly and indifferently at the ADJUTANT and follow the next events without interest.)
SINGER:
O blindness of the great!
They go their way like gods.
Great over bent backs,
Sure of hired fists.
Trusting the power
Which has lasted so long.
But long is not forever.
O change form age to age!
Thou hope of the people!
Enter the GOVERNOR through the gateway, between two SOLDIERS armed to the teeth.
He is in chains. His face is gray.
Up, great sir, deign to walk upright!
From your palace the eyes of many foes follow you!
And now you don't need an architect, a carpenter will do.
You won’t be moving to a new palace
But into a little hole in the ground.
Look about you once more, blind man!
The arrested man looks around.
Does all you had please you?
Between the Easter Mass and Easter meal
You are walking to a place whence no one returns.
The GOVERNOR is led off. A horn sounds an alarm, noise behind the gateway
When the house of the great one collapses
Many little ones are slain.
Those who had no share in the good fortunes of the mighty
Often have a share in their misfortunes
The plunging wagon
Drags the sweating oxen down with it I
nto the abyss.
The SERVANTS come rushing through the gateway in panic
a) Identify the setting of this extract? (2marks)
b) What has Natella blamed the governor for just before this extract? (2marks)
c) For what reason did the princes holds a meeting in the capital and how will this
affect the governor later in the play? (3marks)
d) Identify a dominant theme that has been highlighted in this extract. (2marks)
e) Explain any two instances of irony in this extract. (4marks)
f) Pick any four phrases from this extract that the singer uses to foreshadow the tragic end of the governor.
Write your answer in note form. (4marks)
g) Basing your answer on what happens in this extract and elsewhere in the play, justify why it is right for the singer to refer to the governor as a blind man. (4marks)
h) He will devote all his time to you and your great new plans. (Begin: All his time ) (1mark)
i) Explain the meaning of the following as used in the extract (3marks)
i. Confer…………………………………………………………….
ii. Disquieting ………………………………………………………
iii. Make ourselves scarce…………………………………………..
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the passage and then answer the questions that follow;
1.
Two weeks before the fateful examination began; I was indiscreet enough to fight the principal’ s...(Solved)
Read the passage and then answer the questions that follow;
1.
Two weeks before the fateful examination began; I was indiscreet enough to fight the principal’ s son. He was a fellow fifth former with whom, up till then , I had no quarrel at all. He was inclined to be a little overbearing at times ;but then a flint needs contact with another flint in order to spark, and I had been forced to develop from the start an easy-going and tolerant disposition . I suppose as the examination drew nearer, our nerves became tauter and our tempers shorter .When, during a discussion in our classroom about careers Samuel declared unnecessarily loudly that he believed all persons who came from North should return to it to find employment , I suddenly felt my anger rising like a column of mercury. I asked him why, in as calm a voice as I could assume. He replied with a sneer by quoting a Sagroson proverb whose meaning was roughly that even a man who does not know where he is going to ought, at least, to know where he has come from: and the gentle laughter, which greeted it brought my temper to boiling point. I was tall and well built, but so was he. Three strides took me beside him and by the time the class prefect succeeded in separating us, Sagrosan blood and Lokko blood had mingled on the floor. Moreover, as is the custom with us, the fight was as much verbal as physical and a torrent of abuse directed mainly against the other's antecedents was flowing out of each battered mouth.
We were bloody, sweaty, and dusty when it was over but still only partly through our respective stocks of abuse. Nothing more than a heighted respect each for the other might have come out of the fight, had Samuel been a boarder. Unfortunately for both of us, however, he lived very much under his august father's eye and the marks I had succeeded in leaving on his face were too distinctive to be hidden by any sort of artifice. I prepared for the worst (prepared in spirit that is, for physical preparations were known to be unavailing at such times). The summons to the principal's office duly came after lunch the same day. He was quite impartial, I'll say that for him. We were both arched over his desk and inscribed across our rumps with two dozen strokes of a bamboo four-footer. Then we were made to shake hands with each other and sent off for walk together along the beach and back (this was the principal's usual way of dealing with a pair of fighters, and one which usually made bosom friends of them).That thrashing and the walk which followed, gave me the moments of deepest mortification I have experienced, and drove home to me the utter futility and wastefulness of making issue of tribal divisions, in a land where much else required our attentions and our energies. Having heard from us how the fight started, the principal might so early have wasted our time and his reading us along patriotic sermon on the essential brotherhood of all the people of Songhai. Such a theme would have made him appear to me hypocrite and to Samuel a traitor -for we both knew only too well that the difference between us were real, if not deep. Instead, we were made to share a fellowship of misery and humiliation which linked us together more effectively than any half – believed fiction about cultural or ethnic affinities could have succeeded in doing.
QUESTIONS:
a) What was the cause of the fight? (2marks)
b) Show how the statement “A flint needs contact with another flint in order to spark”
is applicable to this story? (2marks)
c) With illustrations, show the difference in character between the narrator and his classmate? (4marks)
d) What is the narrator’s attitude towards the head teacher? (3marks)
e) Identify three phrases in the passage to describe the fierce nature of the fight? (3marks)
f) Identify two images that are used to show the extent of the narrator’s anger? (2marks)
g) Explain the punishment that was meted to the by their principal. (2marks)
h) Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in passage: (2marks)
i) Bosom friends
ii) Patriotic sermon
Date posted: January 23, 2018. Answers (1)