- Answer the following questions according to the instructions given after each.(Solved)
Answer the following questions according to the instructions given after each.
Answer the following questions according to the instructions given after each.
(i) Canadian goose are creating crisis south of their usual range (replace the underlined words with their
plural forms.)
(ii) Kenyan oil was used by the colonialists in the manufacture of candles . (Write in the active voice.)
(iii) You should not walk out of the house at night under any circumstances. (Begin: Under no
circumstances..........)
(iv) The television comes with a full two-year warranty. (replace the underlined word with a word that
means the same)
(v) In the 16th century, Shakespeare wrote many plays. (Underlined the adverbial phrase)
Date posted: May 28, 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.
FIRST LAYER (bowing): Thank you, your honour. High court of justice, of all ties the ties of blood is
strongest. Mother and child – is there a more intimate relationship? Can one tear a child
from its mother? High court of justice, she has conceived it in the holy esctaties of love.
She has carried it in her womb. She has fed it with her blood. She has borne it with pain.
High court of justice, it has been observed that the wild tigress, robbed of her young, roams
restless through the mountains, shrunk to a shadow. Nature herself.....
AZDAK (interrupting, to Grusha): What’s your answer to all this and anything else that lawyer
might have to say?
GRUSHA: He’s mine.
AZDKA: Is that all? I hope you can prove it. Why should I assign the child to you in any case?
GRUSHA: I brought him up like the priest says “according to my best knowledge and conscience.” I
always found him something to eat. Most of the he had a roof over his head. And I went to
such trouble for him. I had expenses too. I didn’t look out for my own comfort. I brought
the child up to be friendly with everyone, and from the beginning taught him to work. As
well as he could, that is. He’s still very little.
FIRST
LAWYER
Your honour, it is significant that the girl herself doesn’t claim any tie of blood between
her and the child.
AZDKA: The court takes note of that.
FIRST
LAWYER
Thank you, your honour. And now permit a woman bowed in sorrow
- who has already lost her husband and now has also to fear the loss of her child
- to address a few words to you. The gracious Natella Abashwili is.
GOVERNOR’S
WIFE
(quietly): A most cruel fate, sir, forces me to describe to you the tortures of a bereaved
mother’s soul, the anxiety, the sleepless nights, the......
SECOND
LAWYER
(bursting out): It’s outrageous the way this woman is being treated! Her husband’s palace
is closed to her! The revenue of her states is blocked, and she is cold-bloodedly told that
it’s tied to the heir. She can’t do a thing without that child. She can’t even pay her lawyers!
(To the FIRST LAWYER, Who desperate about this outburst, makes frantic gestures to
keep him from speaking)
Dear Illo Shuboladze, surely it can be divulged now that the Abashwili estates are at stake?
FIRST
LAWYER
Please, Honoured Sandro Oboladze! We agreed............(To AZDAK: ) Of course it is
correct that the trial will also decide if our noble client can take over the Abashwili estates,
which are rather extensive. I say “also” advisedly, for in the foreground stands the human
tragedy of a mother, as Natella Abashwili very properly explained in the first words of her
moving statement. Even if Michael Abashwili were not heir to the estates, he would still be
the dearly beloved child of my client.
AZDAK: Stop! The court is touched by the mention of estates. It’s a proof of human feeling.
SECOND Thanks, Your Honour. Dear Illo Shuboladze, we can prove in any case that the woman
LAWYER who took the child is not the child’s mother. Permit me to lay before the court the bare
facts. High court of justice, by an unfortunate chain of circumstances, Michael Abashwili
was left behind on the Easter Sunday while his mother was making her escape. Grusha, a
palace kitchen maid, was seen with the baby........
COOK All her mistress was thinking of was what dresses she’d take along!
Questions
a) Recount the circumstances that lead to the events in the passage above.
b) In note form, summarize the points in the argument that the first lawyer gives in favour of Natella Abashwili.
c) After Grusha gives her argument, the first lawyer thinks that she weakened her own case. Why?
d) Identify one character trait of the following as revealed in the passage
i) Natella Abashwili
ii) Grusha
e) Explain two main themes dealt with in the passage.
f) Give the meaning of 'I don’t look out for my own comfort.’
g) Identify two stylistic devices employed by the playwright.
h) Give two meaning of the word honor.
i) 'She has carried it in her womb' Rewrite in inverted form.
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and answer the question that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and answer the question that follow.
The career market is full of opportunities. Gone are the days when they had “either ......or” career choices. The
times when women, for example, chose between only nursing, teaching and secretarial work are long gone. The
explosion in communication technology, and the liberalization and globalization of the world economy, has
ensured that there is no longer a dearth and career choices. Today, colleges and universities offer a wide range of
training opportunities to high school graduates. This has made choosing a career an involving process. It has also
given rise to the heed for career counseling.
When choosing a career, whether you have the help of a career counselor or not, there are several factors that you
should consider. These include your abilities or talents, your interests, your priorities, and the available
opportunities in the job market.
The skills required in a particular career and the ability to gain them through education must considered when
choosing careers. Becoming a doctor, for instance, requires extensive education and training and many years of
educational commitment. In addition to the compulsory subjects, the academic background required for this career
is good grades in chemistry and biology at secondary level. If your ability in these subjects is just average, you
would be overstretching your luck to enroll for Bachelor of Medicine degree course.
In the past, students have chosen to pursue training in engineering even when their ability to handle physics and
mathematics was low. This, in many cases has made them drop out of the class mid-course. The waste of time and
resources would have been avoided if they had considered a career that did not require the ability to handle
mathematics and physics well.
There are times people have been driven to choose a particular career because of the salary and prestige associated
with jobs in that field. At times, the desire to take courses comes from within the individual, but most times,
individuals feel pressured by peers or family to take certain course. Joining a career in which you have no interest
is a recipe for dull life since you will spend most of your working hours doing something you do not like. Your
career does not necessarily have to be your passion, but it should not bore you to death either. You can work out
your interest by identifying the subjects you enjoy most at school, or the topics that are of interest to you and for
which you take the initiative to read on your own
It is true that many young people are attracted more by the social mobility that the job might provide than by their
interest in the career. However, research has found that money does not play as big role in job satisfaction as many
people think. Of course we all have to make a living, but if you do not like your job, it does not matter how much
you get paid to do it. What does matter is how well a career choice matches your value. If you value variety,
collaboration and creativity, for example, you would not find job satisfaction in a career where you are working
alone and doing the same thing every day.
The availability of jobs in a particular field should also be a factor in choosing a career. This should be considered
alongside the skills and education sought in a given field. Most times, highly competitive fields require more
education but may not pay well. When there are many applicants for a particular position, unique personality traits
become added benefit. However, in fields where there are fewer applicants than the positions available, the pay
may be more and the job may require less education.
Nevertheless, one should not be discouraged by the scarcity of employment positions because institutions of
higher learning now emphasize that they are not simply training people to get out and look for jobs. They are
training people to get out and create jobs.
Therefore, the availability of job opportunities is not necessarily limited to the presence of employers. It also
encompasses opportunities for self-employment which everyone is free to explore.
1. What has created necessity for career counseling?
2. Why do you think the writer cites engineering in the passage?
3. What do you think should be the most important factor in choosing a career? Give reason for your answer.
4. In about fifty words, summarize the importance of knowing the availability of jobs in the career field one
wants to join.
Rough draft.
Fair copy
5. What evidence is given in the passage to support the statement 'money does not play as a role
in job satisfaction?'
6. a) 'The waste of time and resources would have been avoided if they had considered a career that did not
require the ability to handle mathematics and physics.” (Begin: If................)
b) The career market is full of many opportunities. (Begin: There..................)
c) Your career does not necessarily have to be your passion. (Re-write adding a question tag.
7. Why is one’s ability an important factor in career choices?
8. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in passage.
a) Dearth
b) Liberalization
c) Social mobility
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following conversation and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following conversation and answer the questions that follow.
A dormitory captain reports a theft case to the dormitory master. The captain is accompanied by the suspect to the
office.
John: (Knocks the door and opens) Good morning Mrs. Juma.
Mrs. Juma: Good morning John. What can I do for you?
John: I have come to report a theft case. Morris is suspected to have stolen a pair of trousers from a
form one who.............
Morris: (Interrupting rudely) The captain is a liar. He is always picking on me.
Mrs. Juma: Could you be a bit courteous Morris. Give John a chance to explain himself (Morris looks
outside through the window sneeringly).
John: (Producing the pair of trousers from a paper bag) We got him wearing this pair of trousers. It
bears the form one admission number. You see..........
Morris: (Shouting and banging the teacher’s table) Shut up! This is my pair of trousers.
Mrs. Juma: (Looks at the trouser keenly and sees the admission number.) This is a form one’s admission
number . I will suspend you with immediate effect.
Morris: (Glaring at the teacher) Okay!
Mrs. Juma: Thank you captain for being competent. Morris, Let us meet at the principal’s office.
John: Thank you Mrs. Juma
a) Cite incidents of lack of etiquette in the above conversation.
b) How should have Morris interrupted politely?
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Fill in the blank spaces.(Solved)
Fill in the blank spaces.
As Kenya celebrates two years f devolution, today is a moment of serious __1_____________ and of sharing
information on the achievement reached in the __2___________________ of county policies, the challenges
_3_______________________ National values and principles of governance. Kenya is _4________________
with the implementation of constitution that has been __5_______________ globally as one of the most
__6_____________________ constitutions in Africa.
However, we have witnessed attempts to __7_________________ back the cloth through enactment of National
legislation __8________________ tends to re centralize and claw back some devolved functions going
__9________________ the spin of constitution. The _10_____________________ for devolution was all about
devolving exercise of state power and resources.
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Give two possible meanings of the following sentence.
a. John rode a bicycle by the bank.(Solved)
Give two possible meanings of the following sentence.
a. John rode a bicycle by the bank.
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Use the words in brackets to form a suitable word to fill in the blank spaces.
(Solved)
Use the words in brackets to form a suitable word to fill in the blank spaces.
a. The inmates took advantage of the ……………………….to escape from custody. (confuse)
b. The matter should be handled…………………………………………….. (caution)
c. Soil………………………………………………is an interesting topic to study. (compose)
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Combine the following pairs of sentences into one using correlative conjunctions.(Solved)
Combine the following pairs of sentences into one using correlative conjunctions.
a. Mwanzia did not attend the ceremony. Lucy did not attend it.
b. The school captain ushered in the guests. He served them with refreshments.
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Join the following sentences into one using the participle.(Solved)
Join the following sentences into one using the participle.
a. The President cheered the team. He was excited.
b. The soldiers left the war-torn region. Peace had been restored
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions after each. (Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions after each.
a. Moses made several attempts to reconcile the friends but failed. (Begin: Several……..)
b. Risper did not know that the dog was behind her. (Begin: Little……..)
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite and provide a question tag for the following sentences. (Solved)
Rewrite and provide a question tag for the following sentences.
a. The school bus has left.
b. Mary did not attend the lesson.
c. Come in
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following narrative then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following narrative then answer the questions that follow.
Once upon a time Hare and Hyena were very good friends. They visited each other every day and herded their cows
together.
There came a time when the cows started dying one after the other. The two friends wanted to find out why the cows
were dying. Hare said, ‘Let us go and kill our mothers and take out their livers. We shall then cook and taste these
livers. The bitter liver will show whose mother was making the cows die.
At once Hyena went and killed his mother. He took out the liver and cooked it. Hare went and hid his mother in the
garden in bushy banana plants. He then went and killed an antelope, took out its liver and cooked it.
The two friends met to eat their livers. “My liver is very bitter”, said the Hyena. “Mine is very sweet,” said Hare, “So
it was your mother who was making the cows die.” Hyena kept quiet and went home feeling sad. He moved from the
old house to a smaller one because now he had no mother. Hare did the same.
After a short time, there was great famine in the land. The two friends decided that each of them was to look for food
on alternate days sharing on an equal basis what was available. When it was Hyena’s turn, he went and found only
honeycombs without any honey. When Hyena brought these, Hare refused this because he had secretly gone to his
mother who had given him some bananas. This went on for many days, and Hyena grew thinner and thinner. Then he
started wondering “How does my friend remain fat and he doesn’t eat anything. I will find out.”
One day he followed Hare. Hare went to his mother as usual. ‘Mother, mother, I have come’ and the mother dropped
some bananas which Hare ate quickly. He then looked for some honeycombs and took them to the friend. “This is all I
could find my friend.” The Hyena kept quiet. The next day he went to the banana plant and called. His voice however
was very deep and no bananas were dropped for him.
There was an old hyena who was staying at the end of the forest and used to give advice to people. So Hare’s friend
went to her and told her his problem. “Go and put your tongue on the path of black ants,” He was told, “Let them bite
your tongue until it hurts. That’s how your voice will be soft.”
Hyena went and did as he was told. When he went to Hare’s mother his voice was as soft as Hare’s. “Mother, mother I
have come.” And Hare’s mother dropped bananas for his him. Then he told her to come and greet him. When she
came down and saw it was Hyena she screamed but there was nobody near to help. Hyena killed her immediately.
Hyena went and met Hare as usual saying nothing about Hare’s mother. The following day it was Hare’s turn. He
went to his usual place. “Mother” he called again. He climbed up. There was nobody. Having seen some blood on the
ground, Hare knew what had happened to his mother.
When Hare got back to Hyena’s house, he said nothing. At night, Hare took all cows including Hyena’s and went
away to live in another part of the country. That ended the Hare and Hyena’s friendship. And that is the end of my
story to you.
1. Classify the above narrative.
2. Identify three features in this story that are characteristics of oral narratives.
3. Briefly explain the character traits of the following.
a. Hare ………………………………………………………………………………………………....
b. Hyena………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What moral lesson do you learn from this story?
5. Identify two socioeconomic activities from the community in which the narrative is taken from.
6. You have been selected for a field work research to collect the above item.
a. Briefly explain two ways in which you will collect the information on the item.
b. Identify two problems and their solutions that you might encounter during the field work.
7. Then he started wondering 'How does my friend remain fat and he doesn’t eat anything. I will find out.'
(Rewrite into indirect speech.)
8. Describe the irony in the fifth paragraph
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
When Google hosted a boot camp in California this month for its Android operating system, there were some
new faces in the room: auto manufacturers. They made the trip to learn about Android Auto, a new dashboard
system meant to let a smartphone power a car’s center screen. Tasks as varied as navigation, communication and
music apps, all constantly talking to the cloud. And to the driver. A similar scene is playing out just a few miles
down the road at Apple, where a rival system, CarPlay, has been developed for iPhone users.
After years of being treated as an interesting side business, autos have become the latest obsession for Silicon
Valley, with Apple assigning about 200 engineers to work on electric vehicle technology and Google saying it
envisions the public using driverless cars within five years. But nowhere is that obsession playing out more
immediately than in the battle to develop the next generation of cars’ dashboard systems.
In the coming weeks and months, dealerships around the country will begin selling vehicles capable of
running Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or both. The systems go far beyond currently available Bluetooth pairing
for playing music or making a hands-free call, and allow for Google’s or Apple’s operating system to essentially
take over the center screen and certain buttons within the car. “Consumers have spoken,” said John Maddox,
assistant director of the University of Michigan’s Mobility Transformation Center.
“They expect to have coordination between their phone and their vehicle.” Here at Google’s headquarters,
Android Auto is about to make its debut in Americans’ cars after two years in development. Plug in a smartphone
with a USB cord and the system powers up on a car’s screen. The phone’s screen, meanwhile, goes dark, not to be
touched while driving. Apple’s CarPlay works similarly, with bubbly icons for phone calls, music, maps,
messaging and other apps appearing on the car’s center screen. (Apple declined to comment for this article.)
While the idea of constantly connected drivers zipping along roads raises concerns about distracted driving,
both companies say their systems are designed with the opposite goal: to make cellphone-toting drivers safer.“We
looked at what people do with their phones in the car, and it was scary,” said Andrew Brenner, who heads
Google’s Android Auto team. “You want to say to them, ‘Yikes, no, don’t do that.’”
Brenner said his team tried to figure out how to minimize distraction during tasks people frequently do while
driving, while also deciding what should be prevented in the car altogether. Google even built its own driverdistraction lab, to test different variations Android Auto, for example, has no “back” button like the smartphone version. No “recents” button either. Google
Maps has been adjusted to make fonts bigger and streets less detailed, for easier reading while driving. No action
should take more than two seconds — consistent with the Transportation Department’s voluntary guidelines.
“Things that we don’t show are just as important as what we do show,” Brenner said. Music is most definitely in.
Streaming video? Most definitely not.
Most social media will also be blocked, and texts can be sent only with voice commands. Apps on the screen
are optimized for speed: glance, touch and eyes back to the road. “It’s these little glances at the screen that people
do in a car,” he said.
“We want something that’s very glanceable, that can be seen and done quickly.” When the Android Auto
project began, it included a core group of automakers like General Motors, Audi, Honda and Hyundai. Now, as it
prepares for its debut, roughly two dozen car brands have signed on to offer it soon. Apple has teamed up with
roughly the same number of brands, many of which will offer both systems. Most automakers are staying mum on
their exact start dates, but Hyundai is expected to act shortly, and Volkswagen has indicated availability for its
next Golf. GM has said the same about its Spark subcompact. One of the most widespread adopters will be Ford,
which this year will begin offering both Android Auto and CarPlay in conjunction with the revamping of the
automaker’s much-criticized Sync system.
By the end of 2016, they will be available on all Fords sold in the United States. “We don’t want people to
have to make a vehicle choice based on which mobile phone they have,” said Don Butler, Ford’s executive
director for connected vehicles and services. “We want to accommodate all customers and their devices.”
Fiat-Chrysler, considered to have one of the better infotainment platforms on the market, has signed on to
support Google’s and Apple’s systems. But a bit of lament is evident. “We’re confident that our systems deliver a
good experience for our customers,” said Eric Mayne, a spokesman at Chrysler. “But we’re not standing still
either.'
Adapted from DAILY NATION Wednesday March 25, 2015
1. Why did Auto manufacturing companies make the trip to California?
2. What according to the passage shows the seriousness that companies have autos have attached to autos?
3. What does the expression 'Consumers have spoken,' imply?
4. Briefly explain how the system works?
5. Why in your opinion do social media have to be blocked?
6. In point form, summarize how developers have tried to minimize distractions that may arise out of the new
developments.
7. Rewrite the following in reported speech. 'We’re confident that our systems deliver a good experience for our customers,” said Eric Mayne, a spokesman at Chrysler..
8. What do the following words mean as used in the passage?
i) Debut ……………………………………………………………………………………….....
ii) Mum ……………………………………………………………………………………….....
iii) Infotainment
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the telephone conversation below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the telephone conversation below and answer the questions that follow.
Francis: Hello, is that Chileka International Airport?
Edith: (Picking the phone) The mushrooms are 500 kwacha per kilogram.
Hello, is anybody on this line?
Francis: Hello, is that Chileka International airport?
Edith: What do you want?
Francis: Please confirm for me whether I called the right place, Chileka International Airport?
Edith: (Frowning) Which other airport shares a similar phone number as this?
Francis: May I then speak to the Managing Director?
Edith: I don’t mind a baby….(on phone), what did you say ?Oh, the Managing Director can’t talk to you.
Francis: Can I then leave a message which you can pass to him?
Edith: Why can’t you call him on his personal line…(away from the receiver) serve me a cup, tea tastes
better when hot.
Francis: (Surprised) Hello, excuse me madam, I am Francis Chumachamara and am requesting to talk to the
Managing Director over an important matter concerning one of your employees…
Edith: I told you the Managing Director is not in (hangs up).
i). Explain four things that make Edith an ineffective communicator.
ii). Explain three things that one should observe if they are to communicate effectively over the phone.
Date posted: May 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- 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)