i). Explain four things that make Edith an ineffective communicator.
- Edith is rude, she asks ‘what do you want’
- She is not a keen listener, picks up the phone but goes on talking with someone else.
- She is impatient, hangs up before Francis finishes talking.
- She does not introduce herself or even the organization she works for.
ii). Explain three things that one should observe if they are to communicate effectively over the phone.
- Use polite language.
- One should introduce his/herself
- Greetings, help in creating rapport
- Be keen so as to get the details of the message by the other person
marto answered the question on May 28, 2019 at 06:28
- Unfortunately, you fail to secure the job. What could you have done wrong during the interview that led
to this failure?(Solved)
Unfortunately, you fail to secure the job. What could you have done wrong during the interview that led
to this failure?
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- For each of the following words, write another that is pronounced the same as the one given(Solved)
For each of the following words, write another that is pronounced the same as the one given.
i). Miner ……………………………
ii). Suite ……………………………
iii). Throws ……………………………
iv). Flew ……………………………
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word.(Solved)
Read the passage below and fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word.
The country (1)……………benefited greatly from reduced fuel prices in the past year (2)………………………
from favorable international market dynamics. (3)…………………. is a major production cost and when the
prices go (4)..……………………, commodity prices stabilize, which is good for the
economy.(5)……………………………, something untoward has been happening lately. Fuel
(6)…………………………has become erratic, causing distress to motorists. According (7)…………… the
Petroleum Institute of East Africa, which is the industry lobby, the intermittent supply is artificial. Some industry
players are (8)………………………oil for speculation, hoping to (9)………………………………shortage and,
in turn, influence the regulator, the Energy Regulatory Commission, to raise the (10)……………………………
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences correcting the errors.
(i) There are situations of which you need to act with speed or else the consequences will catch up...(Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences correcting the errors.
(i) There are situations of which you need to act with speed or else the consequences will catch up with you.
(ii) She likes football as it is more superior than hockey
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences as instructed(Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences as instructed.
(i) (a) The photographs will be taken at the venue of the wedding. The photographs will
be taken in a reputable studio. (Combine into once sentence using ‘either …..or,,,,’)
(b) Neither the children nor the peasant ………allowed to go to the hall yesterday.
(Rewrite filling the blank with an appropriate auxiliary verb).
(ii) (a) The principal noticed serious laxity among the students. He warned them against such
behaviour. (Combine the sentence using present participle. )
(b) The farmer’s cow gives twenty-five kilos of milk everyday. He feeds and waters it very well. (Combine using
the present participle).
(iii) Underline the gerund in the following sentence.
Kibet is studying but swimming is his hobby.
(iv) Replace the underlined word with a phrasal verb.
(a) It is not good to despise other people.
(b) I am currently living with my brother in Karen
(c) The principal was annoyed with the three boys.
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.
Unscrupulous as he was, Kwame Asante had a qualm as he looked at the woman sitting on the
African stool near the bed. He had called her and yet when she came he did not quite know how to begin the
conversation.
“Akosua, how would you like fifty pounds to start a small business of your own – selling cloths or
perfume and powder?” The woman smiled nervously. Ten years of married life had made her wary of her
husband’s fits of generosity.
She was as black as ebony, with the fine features peculiar to the girls of the Akwapim hills; graceful
in her brown and red design cloth and the lovely silk head-tie wrapped round her head. Her feet were shod in
‘spitfire’ sandals and on her tiny ears she had the popular golden ear-rings named ‘Abongo’.
The slender woman on the stool was the mother of three children though she still looked a girl.
Married under the native customary law, she had served her lord and master with zeal and zest. It is a law
which as some other law in the Gold Coast, needs disinfecting for though it aids the man to gain his desire
when it is at its fiercest, it in no way safeguards the position of the woman when the man’s passion abates.
“Would you like fifty pounds?” asked Kwame again. “Could make it a hundred. You have been a
very good wife to me, Akosua.” Did the truth begin to dawn on the woman’s consciousness? No. She thrust
the thought away from her. ‘He could not do it’.
Kwame cleared his throat – after all he might as well get it off his chest: hadn’t she noticed that the
whole relationship had become impossible? A cloth woman was all right when one was young and struggling.
She could be so useful – a general servant, and yet a wife. Akosua was so gentle, and even quite refined, but a
man needs a change. He had just completed his two-storied building and he had been made a committee
member of an important club. The other day his academy had conferred on him an associateship and his
university had given him a coveted degree. He had at last achieved his ambition and had become an important
man in the community. He was thinking seriously of entering the town council.
Fancy being addressed councilor Kwame Asante, O.B.A…. A.S.S. He smiled inanely to himself.
Akosua looked at him in wonder.
“Er….. er…. Akosua…., I want to tell you I am going to marry a lady; you will be paid off with a hundred
pounds. A…. frock….. lady….um…..er …. of course you can read and write Ga and Twi but my friends will
call you an illiterate woman.”
“Did you consult your friends before you married me ten years ago?” The voice was cold and calm,
yet the words cut like a whip.
“If you are going to be impertinent, I shall not discuss the matter further.” He got up and walked up
and down the room. “How many men in the Gold Coast will pay a woman off with one hundred pounds? You
are only entitled to twenty-five pounds and here I am out of kindness offering you a hundred. Show some
gratitude, Akosua.” Akosua looked at him. Stark misery was in her eyes.
“I shall send the children to Achimota College.” There was a whining note in his voice. “I am only
doing this because of my position in society. You see I may be called to Government House and other
important places……. say something Akosua.
“I say you can keep your twenty five pounds, fifty pounds or a hundred pounds. I will have nothing to
do with it. I will not be paid off.
“What! What! Come! Come! Don’t do anything rush!”
“If you dare touch me I shall strike your face.”
“Strike your master, your husband! Are you mad?”
“I shall leave this house.”
“If you dare to disgrace me by leaving the house before I am ready for you to go, there will be trouble.
I do not intend to put up with a willful woman. What is my sin after all? I only want to become a decent and
respectable member of society. If you leave this house without my knowledge and permission, I shall claim
every penny I have spent on you since I married and lived with you these ten years; and not only that but I
shall claim all the presents I have given to your parents and other relatives. You know our native customary
law.”
“Yes, I know your native customary law. It is a grave to bury women alive whilst you men dance to
the tom-tom on top of the mound of earth.'
Questions
i) Why does Akosua smile nervously when Kwame offers her fifty pounds to start a small business of her own?
ii) Explain the effect of Akosua’s silence on Kwame?
iii) In not more than 60 words, summarize the reasons for Kwame’s intention to marry another wife.
v) Identify a statement from the passage which proves that Kwame was ashamed of the action he was about to
take.
vi) What is Kwame Asante’s burning ambition?
vii) Rewrite the following sentence in reported speech
‘Did you consult your friends before you married me ten years ago?’ Akosua asked Kwame.
viii) Give an instance of irony in the passage.
ix) ‘It is a grave to bury women alive whilst you men dance to the tom-tom on top of the grave.’
Explain the meaning of this statement.
x) What is Kwame’s attitude towards women?
xi) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the passage.
a) Disinfecting …………………………………………………………………………………..
b) The words cut like a whip ………………………………………………................................
c) Impertinent ………………………………………………………………………………….
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- For each below, provide another that is identical in pronunciation.(Solved)
For each below, provide another that is identical in pronunciation.
i) clue iii) board
ii) sole iv) tear
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- One of the features in listening skills is maintaining a meaningful eye-contact with the speaker. Why do you think
it is important to do so? (Solved)
One of the features in listening skills is maintaining a meaningful eye-contact with the speaker. Why do you think
it is important to do so?
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Fill in the blank spaces .(Solved)
Fill in the blank spaces .
The broadened freedom of speech bestowed upon people --------------------------- the rise of social media
platforms does have its merits, as many now --------------------------a platform where they can ---------------------
their concerns about injustices within the society. -----------, everything has its good things and bad things as ------
----------------. The freedom on social media has also rendered these avenues ------------------------grounds for hate
--------------------. Many use it to promote their bigoted ideology. They encourage hatred ------------------------
warring individuals or parties simply because they are ----------------------- to the views, beliefs, or behavior that
differ from ---------------------------
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
-
Short Stories, When the sun Goes Down and other stories.
The reason that makes people want to leave home and go abroad is that their...(Solved)
Short Stories, When the sun Goes Down and other stories.
The reason that makes people want to leave home and go abroad is that their mother country pushes them away. Using illustrations from leaving by Moyez G, Vassanji, show the validity of this statement.
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow: (25mks)
INKEEPER: Your worship, it’s a question of the family honour. I wish to bring an action on behalf of
my son, who’s away on business on the other side of the mountain. This is the offending
stable man, and here is my daughter in law.
(Enter the Daughter in law, a voluptuous wench. She is veiled)
AZDAK: (Sitting down): I accept (sighing, the Inkeeper hands him some money). Good. Now the
formalities are disposed of. This is a case of rape?
INKEEPER: Your honour, I caught the fellow in the act. Ludovica was in the straw on the stable
floor.
AZDAK: Quite right, the stable. Lovely horses! I especially liked the little roan.
INKEEPER: The first thing I did, of course, was to question Ludovica. On my son’s behalf.
AZDAK: (Seriously) I said I specially liked the little roan.
INKEEPER: (Coldly): Really? Ludovica confessed the stableman took her against her will.
AZDAK: Take your veil off: Ludovica (she does) Ludovica, you please tell the court. Tell us what
happened.
LUDOVICA: (Well schooled). When I entered the stable to see the new foal the stableman said to
me on his own accord, “It’s hot today!” and laid his hand on my left breast. I said to him,
“Don’t do that!” But he continued to handle me indecently, which provoked my anger.
Before I realized his sinful intentions, he got much closer. It was all over when my father-inlaw entered and accidentally trod on me.
INKEEPER: (explaining) On my son’s behalf.
AZDAK: (to the stableman). You admit you started it?
STABLEMAN: Yes
AZDAK: Ludovica, you like to eat sweet things?
LUDOVICA: Yes, sunflower seeds.
AZDAK: You like to lie a long time in the bathtub?
LUDOVICA: Half an hour or so.
Questions
(a) Explain what happens before this excerpt.
(b) 'I accept.' Explain what is implied by this statement.
(c) 'Your honour, I caught the fellow in the act.' Identify and explain one theme that can be deduced from the
statement.
(d) '(Sighing, the innkeeper hands him some money.) Good now the formalities are disposed of.' What turns out to
be ironic about this statement?
(e) Who is the public prosecutor in this case?
(f) Why do you think Azdak asks Ludovica to remove her veil?
(g) Describe any other three cases adjudicated by Azdak.
(h) Basing your answer on the excerpt, identify and illustrate any two character traits of Ludovica.
(i) Identify an instance of humour used in the except.
(j) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.
(i) Roan:…………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Stable:…………………………………………………………………………………………
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following comprehension passage and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following comprehension passage and then answer the questions that follow.
Aristotle, the father of Western critical thought, Leonardo da Vinci, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Albert
Einstein, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro, George Bush, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Napoleon
Bonaparte, Bill Gates, Barack Obama and Uhuru Kenyatta all have one thing in common. Not that they are great
men and a woman, but because all of them are left-handed!
Is there something special about being left handed? It is a question that has given rise to many myths about
left handed people.
Interestingly, in a majority of cultures the world over, left-handed people are a stigmatised minority. Left is
associated with femininity while right in linked to masculinity.In many of our cultures, when giving direction, we
talk about the female side and male side of the road. Patriarchal structures have ways of twisting the truth to
preserve masculine hegemony.
In some cultures of Africa, people view left-handedness as a sign of evil, while in Japan it can be enough
reason for divorce. Many myths in our cultures in Africa regard left-handedness as something unacceptable and
evil. Languages have ways of carrying these beliefs about left-handedness. In Latin, the word left is synonymous
with “sinister”, while in Spanish the word for left is linked with “malicious”. The French word for left is
synonymous with “awkward”. In English, the word left comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘luft’, which means
weak or broken.
The holy books have not been left out in stigmatising left-handedness. The Bible, specifically the book of
Judges, associates left-handedness with war-like tendencies.
We also know of many sayings that are negative in reference to left handedness, for instance left wing and a lefthanded compliment.
It is, therefore, possible to argue that left handed people are a minority that deserves attention. They suffer at
the hands of right handed people who do not recognise their special needs
Some insensitive teachers are known to punish left handed children and force them to write using their right
hands. It is, however, notable that in Western cultures, the discrimination of left-handed people is almost over due
to the enlightenment of the society.
But what brings about left handedness? Experts remain unsure of how handedness emerges in children.
However, a number of reasons have been advanced to explain why majority of people in all societies are righthanded. In terms percentage, less than 10 percent of the world population is left handed and majority of them are males.
Evolutionary theory attempts to explain this phenomenon by suggesting that during the early ages, primitive
hunters needed to protect their most vital organ of the body — the heart — and their left hand was used to hold the
shield. The right hand was used to hold the sword or knife and because of this it acquired greater agility, which
was passed down through the generations.
This theory, therefore, explains why more men would be right-handed than women. Other studies have also
revealed that the left-handedness of children is an inherited trait. It is common if one parent is left-handed and
more common if both parents are left handed.
An equally useful theory that tries to explain this phenomenon is the brain hemisphere theory. It postulates
that the preference of using one side of the body more than the other in performing special tasks depends on which
brain hemisphere is dominant. In most people, the left hemisphere controls speaking and handy work and that is
why right-handedness is common. It further argues that left-handed people are controlled by the right hemisphere
of the brain.
Some researchers claim that left-handed people are more intelligent and eloquent than the right-handed
people. It is argued that there are more left-handed people with IQs of over 140 than right-handed people.
Captivatingly, other studies reveal that left-handed people are more unlikely to suffer from disorders of the
immune system.
In view of the fact that studies have found that this group of individuals comprise of intelligent and creative
people, we need to revisit our curriculum in order for it to take care of their unique potentialities. We have to put
in place structures that will create a learner-friendly environment for left handed children. Desks should also be
designed to cater for their unique needs. Special pens and writing materials should be provided specifically for this
group of children. More importantly, we should re-train teachers to appreciate the fact that pupils are gifted in
different ways, and it is their duty to help pupils to put to use these gifts.
Adapted from Saturday Nation 28/02/2015 Pg. 39
By Prof. Egara Kabaji and Dr Misigo Lushya.
Questions
(a) Why do the writers give a long list of people who were / are left-handed?
(b) How are the left-handed people discriminated against in the society they live in?
(c) What makes left-handed people unique?
(d) According to the passage, why do we have fewer females being left-handed than males?
(e) Distinguish the functioning of the left-handed people from the right-handed ones?
f) Make notes on the various ways left-handed individuals can be accommodated by the learning institutions.
(g) Rewrite the following sentence as instructed.
Desks should also be designed to cater for their unique needs.
Begin: Their unique needs:
(h) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage.
(i) Agility:…………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Hemisphere:……………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) Postulates:………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Consider the following dialogue and describe the shortcomings of Orgon’s listening skills.(Solved)
Consider the following dialogue and describe the shortcomings of Orgon’s listening skills.
ORGON: Ah, good morning, brother.
CLEANTE: I was just going. I’m glad to see you back again. There isn’t much life in the
countryside just now.
ORGON: Dorine – (to Cleante) a moment brother, please – excuse me if I ask the news of
the family first and set my mind at rest. (To Dorine).
Has everything gone well the few days I’ve been away? What have you been doing? How is everyone?
DORINE: The day before yesterday, the mistress was feverish all day. She had a dreadful
headache.
ORGON: And Tartuffe?
DORINE: Tartuffe? He’s very well: hale and hearty: in the pink.
ORGON: Poor fellow!
DORINE: In the evening she felt faint and couldn’t touch anything, her headache was so
bad.
ORGON: And Tartuffe?
DORINE: He supped with her. She ate nothing but he very devoutly devoured a couple of
partridges and half a hashed leg of mutton.
ORGON: And Tartuffe?
DORINE: Feeling pleasantly drowsy he went straight to his room, jumped into a nice warm
bed, and slept like a top until morning.
ORGON: Poor fellow!
DORINE: Eventually she yielded to our persuasions, allowed herself to be bled, and soon felt
much relieved?
ORGON: And Tartuffe?
DORINE: He dutifully kept up his spirits and took three or four good swigs of wine at
breakfast to fortify himself against the worst that might happen and to make up for the blood the
mistress had lost.
ORGON: Poor fellow!
DORINE: They are both well again now so I’ll go ahead and tell the mistress how glad you
are to hear that she’s better.
(From the Misanthrope and other Plays by Moliere)
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the Oral Narrative below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the Oral Narrative below and answer the questions that follow.
In a town called Irandunwo, lived a loose talker called “Elenuobere” – “sharp mouth.” One day it was
rumored that a man had seduced the Oba’s wife. He went and said he had designed the plan by which that act
was accomplished. He was taken to court and convicted of talking rubbish hence fined one pound and five
shillings. He had no money and so went to prison.
But a kind farmer agreed to bail him out if he would work on his farm for five days. The next day on
the way to the farm, they heard a sound in the bush. Elenuobere burst out, “surely that is a horse grazing, and
its left eye is blind.” The farmer betted with him that if that was true he would strike off five shillings from the
debt. If not, the debtor would give one extra day of work. When they reached the animal, Elenuobere was
proved right and so his debt was reduced.
Soon afterwards, they came across a wet spot and he claimed it was the piss of a pregnant woman.
Once again, he was right and the debt was reduced. At the farm when they sat to eat, the farmer sighed three
times and each time Elenuobere claimed he knew what was in his thoughts. The argument that ensued led
them to the king’s court for a settlement. The farmer all the time was confident that he could deny whatever
Elenuobere would say.
Before the royal assembly, Elenuobere then stated: “The first thought was: May God Almighty give
long life to the king. Your second thought was: may this royal family continue to rule long in our town. And
your third thought was: May God grant the king’s heir who will rule after him.” The whole gathering,
including the farmer, affirmed saying “Amen.” The could not deny lest he annoyed the king.
Elenuobere got his acquittal and relief from the labour. “The mouth that commits an offence must talk
itself out of punishment.” The story illustrates the quoted final adage
QUESTIONS
(i) State three things that the narrator must do in order to capture the audience’s attention before beginning to tell
the story.
(ii) The narrator mid-way of the story telling session notices signs of inattentiveness among the audience. What
are the signs of inattentiveness?
(iii)How do you say Eleneuobere’s words, 'surely, that is a horse grazing, and its left eye is blind.'
(iv) Give an example of a proverb that can be used to describe Eleneuobere’s behaviour.
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and fill in the gaps using the most appropriate words.(Solved)
Read the passage below and fill in the gaps using the most appropriate words.
The classification (1) _________ any material refers to (2) _________ division of such materials into specific
classes according to established (3) _____. The categories developed should (4) ____ be able to accommodate all
manner of material considered. We can then talk of literary classification as a (5) __________ of categorizing,
characterizing, describing, typifying, labeling etc. In literature (6) _________, classification is done according to
the content or (7) ________ of the material. Content refers to the subjects, ideas, people, objects and situations
presented in the work. The latter refers to the how, the shapes, patterns, appearances, dimensions and textures.
Written literature comes to us in the form of novels, short stories, poems (8) __________ plays. They are in a
graphic form. But oral literature comes (9) __________ the form of narratives, poetry, riddles and proverbs.
They are transmitted by (10) ___________ of mouth and therefore have an oral form.
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain the meaning of the following sentences.
i. Lydia found the empty room.
ii. Lydia found the room empty.(Solved)
Explain the meaning of the following sentences.
i. Lydia found the empty room.
ii. Lydia found the room empty.
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Punctuate the following sentence.(Solved)
Punctuate the following sentence
1. Cherotich why do you always quarrel Paul he asked
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Supply correct question tags to the following.(Solved)
Supply correct question tags to the following.
i. Let us go home.........................................
ii. I am pleased with you................................
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Replace the underlined word with the correct phrasal verb. (Solved)
Replace the underlined word with the correct phrasal verb.
i. The class teacher promised to solve the problem.(sort)
ii. He tried all his dirty tricks on us but he did not succeed .(come)
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)
- Use the correct form of the word in brackets in the sentences that follow.(Solved)
Use the correct form of the word in brackets in the sentences that follow.
i. She ...........................the teachers advice in everything she did. (seek)
ii. He has ......................... across the muddy river. (swim)
iii. They............................. in amazement. (spin)
iv. The senator was popular for his....................... .........character. (conscience)
Date posted: May 24, 2019. Answers (1)