- Read the story below and then answer the questions that follows: There was once a man who had a wife who was barren after giving birth to an only boy. After (Solved)
Read the story below and then answer the questions that follows.
There was once a man who had a wife who was barren after giving birth to an only boy. After consulting a witch doctor, he went in search of an ogre’s tail as he had been instructed. After a long and hazardous journey through unknown lands he came into a country of the ogres. That day the ogres were celebrating the installation of a new chief. He joined in their beer party and the ogres welcomed him through they had difficulty in restraining their cannibalistic nature. When all ogres went to bed, the man with his knife in his hand stealthily crept to the bed chamber of the new chief. Overcome with too much beer, the chief was sleeping too heavily to notice that his tail was being slashed off. When he woke up the following morning, he found the other ogres dancing and singing:
Omwamikenyalile The chief has urinated
Khaneomwamikenyalanga So the chief urinates
He looked about him and saw blood, then he noticed that his tail was missing. The visitor was also missing!
The chief then changed himself into a beautiful woman. After a long journey she came upon herds of boys playing lifundo with a ball made out of banana leaves. The beautiful woman asked each boy in turn what great thing his father had done. One said, “My father killed an elephant.” Another said that his father had killed a company of ten Teso warriors. The third said, “My father cut off the tail of an ogre.” The woman rejoiced and asked the boy to take
her to his father’s home. The man, struck by her great beauty, made her his wife the same day.
That night the woman tried to change into an ogre but the man’s two dogs, Kutubi and Mulikho, barked at her fiercely and she gave up the attempt. The following day she told the man that she wanted some firewood from the forest. She told him to tie the dogs in heavy chains. She then led him deep into the forest, and then asked him to climb one of the trees that were dry. “I will hand the axe to you when you are up,” she said.
But as soon as the man was up the tree, she turned into an ogre, “Now I have got you,” the ogre said and started cutting down the tree. The man started calling for his dogs:
“Asa, asa, mbwa change KutubinaMulikho.” (“Come, come, my dogs Kutubi and Mulikho.”)
Each time the tree showed signs of falling, a dove on a nearby tree said, “KurrMurongorokwaseyililisia.” (“Kurr, my tree. Regain your former state.”) The ogre in a fury chased away the dove, which returned almost immediately.
In the meantime, the dogs after the struggle had cut their chains and came at breakneck speed as their master kept calling. When they arrived, the ogre threw away the axe, turned into the same beautiful woman and begged for mercy. But the dogs did not stop their onslaught until she was completely dead.
QUESTIONS
a) State two characteristics of ogre stories evident in the above narrative.
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b) Identify any three social activities mentioned in the passage.
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c) From the story, do you think the wife was cured of her illness? Explain your answer.
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d) Identify and illustrate two character traits of the man?
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f) State features of oral narrative evident in the above narrative
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g) State any two functions of the song used in the narrative
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h) What moral lesson do you learn from the above narrative?
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Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
The act of giving and helping people in need is fast dying. Occasionally, we talk about a Good Samaritan having come out of the blue and helped us in our hour of need. It is not clear whether it is because people have become more egocentric or it is because of the diminishing culture of communal living.
If we found someone dying beside the road, we are unlikely to help because we first of all think of how helping them would make us late. We would walk away hoping that the next person will not be as busy as we are, and will therefore rescue the person. Whether it is modern life that has made us busier than before is really debatable.
Have you ever noticed that people are always running around, immersed in deep thought with drooping shoulders and with premature wrinkles etched on their foreheads? The common explanation for this is that we are so busy that we do not have time for ourselves, let alone others.
One writer said that people, who claim to be busy, are not really busy. Being busy he said, was a euphemism for an insatiable craving for money, power, status and overwhelming desire to have more and more material possessions. What this culture of being busy does is that it makes us lose some of the essential human values such as loving others, taking care of the sick and meeting other people’s needs through generosity.
Let us take the example of hunger and starvation. The two kill many people, especially children and the elderly. It is easy to say that hunger and starvation are as a result of a fall in the supply of rain. We can say that this is all an issue of climate. This is true to an extent. When rains fail, people’s crops fail and they lose their sole source of food. For those who depend on livestock, their livestock die or become too famished to fetch enough money in the market to enable them buy food. The spiraling cost of foodstuffs does not lessen the pain and suffering of those faced with starvation.
However, the culture of being good Samaritans need not die. If we stopped being too busy and set aside time for our children, we would have time to watch them grow and understand their value system. We can then inculcate the culture of generosity; starting highlighting small ways in which children can be generous. For example, a child can be encouraged to share food with another who does not have or who has come to school without. They can also be encouraged to donate clothes and shoes to a children’s home. This gesture will go a long way in clothing another less fortunate child. Later in life, they can find bigger ways of reaching out to those in need. Through small ways, we would have taught generosity to our children, created the good Samaritans that we all wish for when in need and ensured the act of giving lives on generations.
QUESTIONS
(a) According to the author, why is the act of giving dying?
(b) What is the main consequence of being too busy?
(c) Why does the writer believe that people die of hunger due to our selfishness?
(d) In what two ways can generosity be inculcated among children?
(e) The writer of passage is a parent; support this
(f) What are the benefits of teaching children to share?
(g) In note form, state the characteristics of busy people
(h) Write an appropriate title for this passage
(i) Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in the passage
i) Out of the blue ………………………………………………………………………………………
ii)Reaching out …………………………………………………………………………………………
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences that follow.(Solved)
Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences that follow.
i) I bought three pens for thirty shillings.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) I bought three pens at thirty shillings.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Fill in the most suitable preposition.(Solved)
Fill in the most suitable preposition.
i) Jomo Kenyatta was exempted ………………………. doing hard labour during his term in jail.
ii) I shouted atJoseph who was engrossed ……………… watching TV.
iii) They acquainted Phoebe ………………….. French cuisine.
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Choose the more appropriate pronoun to fill in the blank space.(Solved)
Choose the more appropriate pronoun to fill in the blank space.
(i) I can’t believe that they never found out about Emilly and ……………………...(he, him)
(ii) You can’t do this work without Joel or …………………………..! (them, they)
(iii) ………………………. Kenyans have a dark skin. (us, we)
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the sentence according to the instruction given without changing its meaning(Solved)
Rewrite the sentence according to the instruction given without changing its meaning
(i) The girl said, "I have done my homework."
Rewrite without using the speech marks(“..”)
(ii) She told him, "Don't drive so fast!"
Write in a reported speech
(iii) I think Muna is funnier than Amos.
End: …Muna.
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Use the most suitable form of the word in brackets to fill in the blank space.(Solved)
Use the most suitable form of the word in brackets to fill in the blank space.
(i) My lawn ……………………………………..(cut) once a week.
(ii) We …………………………………………………(ask) by the teacher tomorrow.
(iii) The fire brigade …………………………………………………….(phone) by neighbours soon after fire had broken out.
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
A lot of students think that learning is only in class. If students use two extra steps, most students will not forget what they learned in class. To achieve effective learning, students needed to follow two extra steps in the three strategic learning processes.
The key to success is by following these three strategies. Review is essential to student success. Unless content is reviewed by students shortly after it is learned, it will soon be forgotten. To avoid forgetting what you learned, it is recommended to review daily.
It is also recommended to reduce large volumes of notes into point form and to paraphrase what you have learned. Other helpful tips include creating concept maps and diagrams; creating fact, concept or vocabulary cards and using visualization to better connect to what you learned. These are all important tools to helping students better understand and memorize lesson content.
The key to achieving academic success cannot be directly correlated to one specific area. Rather it requires students to be overall rounded in many different aspects. This includes attending class regularly to keep pace with the class. Falling behind in studies or homework can be detrimental to academic success and can induce stress onto students. Participating in class activities and discussions are also vital parts of learning and applying concepts learned. On the other hand, taking good, concise notes will always help in the long run when reviewing for tests
and exams. To sum it all up, strategic learning is the password for many academic achievements. Being exposed to knowledge is the first step in the journey, the fact that young scholars can learn and be a part of history is a phenomenal step in furthering their search to success. Reviewing notes, in the way the young individual wishes, by him/herself, or with a good friend, this will help him/her to understand what has been learned in a way s/he understands. Lastly practice is a great way to memorise what has been learned, when practice achieves its full potential, the individual won’t only be entitled for a good mark, but also a way to view, under and think of things. Those three attributes will help scholars become more successful, but it’s important to one as it is to the other, and each and every person should find the learning strategies effectual for him/herself, and in extremely exceptional occasions even invent or innovate new strategies.
Questions
(a) What does the writer faults in the students thinking according to the first paragraph?
(b) Explain the three strategies that are key to success.
(c) Unless content is reviewed by students shortly after it is learned, it will soon be forgotten..
Begin: if………
(d) The key to achieving academic success cannot be directly correlated to one specific area..
Add a question tag.
(e) Discuss the tone of the passage.
(f) How, according to the passage, does practice help memorise what has been learned?
(g) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases are used in the passage.
i) Detrimental ……………..……………………………………
ii) Correlated ………… ……………………………………
iii) Effectual ……….…………………………………………
iv) Exceptional ………………………..…………………………………………………………………
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain the difference in meaning of the following pair of sentence.(Solved)
Explain the difference in meaning of the following pair of sentence.
a) I only heard the news in brief.
b) I only heard the news briefly.
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Replace the words below each sentence with phrasal verbs that begin with the words given in brackets. (Solved)
Replace the words below each sentence with phrasal verbs that begin with the words given in brackets.
a) Parents should not yield to their children’s unreasonable demands. (give)
yield
b) The officials cancelled the match because of the heavy rain (call)
cancelled
c) Disagreeing with his parents was his worst mistake. (fall)
disagreeing
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given. (Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given.
a) If he comes he will not be punished.
Begin: Unless…………………………
b) The snail reached the ark only by perseverance
Begin: Only……………
c) They had just walked out of the building when the bomb went off.
(Begin: No sooner …………………
d) John told the principal that he needed to go and see the nurse because he was feeling unwell.
(Rewrite as direct speech)………………
e) These books belong to the daughters of our teacher.
(Begin: These are ………………..
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Substance Abuse has emerged in recent decades as a major concern both on and off the job. Although reasons vary, substance abuse can be a way that some people try to manage or reduce distress.
But it is important to be clear on what is generally meant by a drinking problem. In all cases related to alcohol abuse, a common factor is the unfavorable effect alcohol has on the health or well-being of the drinker and his or her associates. Common signs and symptoms that frequently indicate a drinking problem include being constantly absent from work, causing on-the-job accidents and expressing grievances most of the time.
Alcoholic employees can sometimes go undetected for years. Coworkers cover up for those unable to perform their jobs because of drunkenness. Even managers may be adept at concealing their alcohol abuse problems. Their secretaries or loyal associates may cover up for them. Alcoholics can be clever at inventing “credible” excuses when detected: “I must have a drink or two when I’m entertaining customers, of course.”
Drug abuse, or drug addiction, exists when the taking of drugs, whether prescribed or non-prescribed, legal or illegal, causes difficulties in any area of an individual’s life. Years ago, the stereotype of the drug user was either of a glazed-eyed musician frantically beating his sticks on a tight skin or a person who dwelt in a slum. Mass publicity on drug abuse has long since caused that stereotype to fade from view.
Complicating the ongoing war on drugs are changes in public attitudes and drug-use patterns. It sometimes seems that no sooner is progress made in combating one illegal drug than a different kind of substance abuse comes into vogue. Ethyl alcohol was the social drug during prohibition (1920 – 1933), marijuana became the social drug of the 1960s and 1970s, and some observers believe that crack cocaine and possibly ectasy – another so-called upper – became the social drugs of the 1980s and 1990s. the drugs of choice and people’s attitude toward them may change, but the problem of drug abuse appears to be continuing unabated.
Pinpointing the specific symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse problems is not a simple task. A supervisor’s main responsibility, therefore should not necessarily be uncovering evidence of dependency on alcohol and drugs but instead being observant for declining job performance. Yet there are certain behavioural patterns that some excessive users of alcohol and drugs display. These patterns can sometimes be spotted through simple observation. Increasingly though, employers are taking more aggressive steps to ferret out substance abuse among their workforces. A growing number of companies, especially large ones with many employees and those in business with potential to effect public health or safety, are adopting drug-testing programmes.
The signs of alcohol dependency, unfortunately, do not always become manifest until the middle of the late stages of the problem. No wonder some managers have mistaken an employee’s euphoric appearance for the “look of love”. The earlier treatment begins, naturally, the earlier treatment begins, naturally, the easier it will be. A person could experience some isolated incidents of such drinking problems without necessarily being a alcoholic. However, alcohol abuse usually results in declining job performance.
Because there are many symptoms of drug abuse, no one person would exhibit all of them and a supervisor should guard against assuming that the presence of one or more symptoms is conclusive of alcohol or drug abuse.
Questions
1. What is the main reason given for substance abuse?
2. From paragraph two, state three ways in which alcohol abuse can unfavourably affect the workmates of a drunker?
3. According to the passage, what is drug abuse?
4. What was the common misconception about who a drug user was?
5. Rewrite the following sentences using “as soon as”
It sometimes seems that no sooner is progress made in combating one illegal drug than a different kind of substance abuse comes into vogue.
6. What can we infer about “prohibition”?
7. In not more than 55 words, summarize the reasons that make it difficult to effectively deal with substance abuse.
8. Why do you think the author of the passage cautions supervisors against hastily concluding that one is a drug abuser?
9. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage.
i) Credible
ii) Stereotype –
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Fill in the gaps using the present perfect form of the verbs in brackets.(Solved)
Fill in the gaps using the present perfect form of the verbs in brackets.
i) I ………………………………………………………… (visit) many places.
ii) My wife ……………………………………………………… (join) me in most of these trips.
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Add an appropriate question tag to each of the following statements.(Solved)
Add an appropriate question tag to each of the following statements.
i) They aren’t serious.
ii) He bought a new house last month.
iii) Let us go
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by making one of them a relative clause.
(Solved)
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by making one of them a relative clause.
i) Kasoha joined our school this term. She is very good at grammar.
ii) The generator had been on the whole night. It broke down in the morning.
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the following sentences avoiding repetition. (Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences avoiding repetition.
i) Always be frank and open with your friends. When you are frank and open to your friends, you willwin your friends trust and confidence.
ii)Help yourself to some oranges. These oranges are sweet but those oranges are sweeter.
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Rewrite the sentences below according to the instructions given after each.(Solved)
Rewrite the sentences below according to the instructions given after each.
i) My father would not allow us to attend night parties under any circumstances.
(Begin: Under no circumstances ……………………………….)
.
ii) Strangers should not be allowed into the compound without the security officer’s permission. (Begin: On no account……..……………………..)
iii) The plane had just taken off when one of the passengers began to scream.
(Begin: Scarcely ……………..….)
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Complete the following sentences by choosing the appropriate expressions to fill the gaps. (Solved)
Complete the following sentences by choosing the appropriate expressions to fill the gaps.
i) Although Nduati is a great friend of mine, I ………………………………………..him on a few important issues. (differ to, differ with)
ii) As good citizens, we must all pay our taxes ………………………………………..the policy. (in accordance to, in accordance with)
iii) She chose her career ………………………………………………..(independent of, independent to )her father’s influence.
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. (Solved)
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Nora: It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can.
Helmer:(laughing)That’s very true, - all you can. But you can’t save anything!
Nora: (smiling quietly and happily)You haven’t any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.
Helmer: You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and as soon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood: for indeed it is true that you can inherit these things, Nora.
Nora: Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa’s qualities.
Helmer:And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my little skylark. But do you know, it strikes me that you are looking-rather—what shall I say- rather uneasy today?
Nora: Do I?
Helmer: You do, really. Look straight at me.
Nora : ( looks at him) well?
Helmer: (wagging his finger at her) Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?
Nora: No; what makes you think that?
Helmer: Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s?
Nora: No, I assure you, Torvald-
Helmer: Not been nibbling sweets?
Nora: No, certainly not.
Helmer: Not even take a bite at a macaroon or two?
Nora: (going to the table on the right) I shouldn’t think of going against your wishes.
Helmer: No, I am sure of that: besides, you gave me your word- (Going up to her) Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will be revealed tonight when the Christmas tree is lit, no doubt.
Nora: Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?
Helmer: No. But there is no need; as a matter of course, he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward to this evening.
Nora: So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!
Helmer: It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It is delightful to think of, isn’t it?
Nora: It’s wonderful!
a) Place this extract in its immediate context.
b) Explain the dramatic irony in this extract.
c) Helmer says here, “it is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment”. What is he referring to?
d) What issues on money and gender emerge in this extract?
e) Identify and illustrate any two ways the playwright has used language to achieve foregrounding in this extract.
f) What do we learn about the character of Nora in this extract?
g) Imagine you are directing this play. Which quality would you look for in an actor to play the role of Torvald?
Date posted: August 14, 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.
The question is at least as old as Socrates: If we know what the right thing to do is, why do we not do it? It is an especially acute question when applied to global warming. The science showing that carbon dioxide emissions are already changing the planet’s climate, and are likely to have severe effects (melting ice caps, sea-level rise, and species extinction), is compelling and now barely disputed. Almost 90% of Europeans say they recognize climate change as a major issue, and 75% identify fossil fuel emissions as a major cause.
And yet, as was widely discussed at a conference of environmentalists, geologists and writers in May 2006 in Ankelohe, Germany, public understanding has not translated into even the simplest of public actions. Less than 1% of Britons, for example, have switched their home electricity to renewable sources, even though it requires little more than a phone call to one’s existing provider. Proportions on the continent are slightly higher, but there is clearly no rush to go green or — shudder — stop driving cars.
Why such a disconnect between information and action? Part of the problem is that environmental advocates emit mixed messages. In mid-May 2006, Britain’s Guardian published a front-page story showing that five companies in Britain produce more CO2 pollution in a year than all the country’s motorists combined. That is a strong argument for targeting industries, but the average reader could hardly be blamed for thinking, “Why should I bother to cut down my driving?”
Similarly, not enough thought has been devoted to the best role for government. Climate change is too vast a problem for individuals to solve alone, and some big businesses have an incentive not to solve it. That leaves government to take the lead, which is tricky, because over-reliance on government can allow individuals to fob off their own responsibilities. What is worse, government power seems to tickle autocratic fantasies. In my experience, environmentalists spend far too much energy advocating hard-line government ‘solutions’ that do not stand a chance of being enacted. Sure, it might be good for the planet if governments banned the use of sports-utility vehicles or, for that matter, of all fossil fuels. Yet not only is it hard to sell outright prohibitions to voters, but the sad truth is that governments have a woeful record in even the mildest interventions. One of the most significant innovations in the last decade has been Europe’s carbon-emission trading scheme: some 12 000 companies, responsible for more than half of the EU’s emissions, have been assigned quotas. Companies with unused allowances can sell them; the higher the price, the greater the incentive for firms to cut their use of fossil fuels. The system seemed to work for about a year — but now it turns out that Europe’s governments allocated far too many credits, which will likely hinder the program’s effectiveness for years.
Perhaps the real reason that well-intentioned consumers do not change is that they do not see any benefit. Climate change may be a frightening, irreversible calamity, but its worst effects will not be felt next week or next year. The planet looks the same regardless of whether we use environmentally friendly technology or we do not care how much CO2 we emit. But sure as the sun rises and sets every day, if we do not cut down on carbon emissions, then we may not have a planet to hand over to the next generation.
(Adapted from Times, June 5, 2006)
a) According to the passage, what are the effects of global warming?
b) What, according to the passage, is the main cause of global warming?
c) How does Britain encourage people to use renewable electricity?
d) Paraphrase the following sentence: That is a strong argument for targeting industries, but the average reader could hardly be blamed for thinking, ‘Why should I bother to cut down my driving?’
e) What message does the writer communicate in this passage?
f) Explain the meaning of the following words and expression as used in the passage.
i) fob off
ii) incentive
iii) calamity
iv) vast
Date posted: August 14, 2019. Answers (1)