THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL English 2012
DAY I Tuesday 13/1/2012
Time: 50 minutes
Composition
Section B
Hearing impaired
Your index number
Your name
Name of your school
Read these instructions carefully
I. In the spaces provided above write your full Index Number, your Name and the Name of your School.
2. Now open this paper, read the composition subject carefully and write your composition on the lines provided.
This Question Paper consists of 4 primed pages.
The Kenya National Examinations Council, 2012
You have 50 minutes to write your composition.
Below is the beginning of a story. Write and complete the story. Make your story as interesting as you can. When I knocked on the door, nobody opened immediately. I was just about to leave when my aunt came to the door smiling . . .
ENGLISH
SECTION A:
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Instructions to candidate (Please read these instructions carefully) 1. You have been given this question booklet and a separate answer sheet. The question booklet contains 50 questions.
2. When you have chosen your answer, mark it on the ANSWER SHEET, not in this question booklet.
How to use the answer sheet
3. Use an ordinary pencil.
4. Make sure you have written on the answer sheet:
Your index number
Your name
Name of your school
5 By drawing a dark line inside the correct numbered boxes mark your full Index Number (i.e. School Code Number and the three-figure Candidates Number) in the grid near the top of the answer sheet. 6. Do not make any marks outside the boxes.
7. Keep the sheet as clean as possible and do not Fold it.
8. For each of the questions 1-50 four answers are given. The answers are lettered A, B. C and D. in each case only
ONE of the four answers is correct. Choose the correct answer.
9. On the answer sheet the correct answer is to be shown by drawing a dark line inside the box in which the letter you have chosen is written.
Example For questions 23 to 25, choose the alternative that best completes the sentence.
In the set of boxes numbered 23, the box with the letter C printed in it is marked. 10. Your dark line MUST be within the box.
11. For each question ONLY ONE box is to be marked in each set of four boxes.
This question paper consists of 7 printed pages.
The Kenya National Examinations Council, 2012
Questions 1 to 15
Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered 1 to 15. For each blank space, choose the best alternative from the choices given.
l enjoy doing many things in my free time. But of all of them, I 1._ travelling is the best. There are three reasons why this is so. Firstly. when l travel, l learn many 2._ things about the culture of 3.- place l am visiting. This is i true when 4._ travel to a foreign country, 5._ it is also true when travelling in my own country.
People often forget 6._ there is much variety even within one’s own country. 7._, I like travelling because I can try 8._ food. Eating is one of my favorite activities, so 9.- l travel, l try as many different dishes as possible. Some people say they eat to live. 10._, l know man others who live to eat although they 11._ not admit it. Perhaps I am one of them. Food is a major part of culture. Therefore, to really experience and understand different cultures it is 12._ to eat the things the people of that culture eat. The last reason travelling is the best thing to do when I am free is that when l travel. l can 13._all my problems at home. I don’t have to think 14._ work or school. l can relax and just concentrate on the things that bring 15._ to my heart.
1. A. say B. think C. agree D. assume
2. A. funny B. surprising C. strange D. interesting
3. A. the B. this C. a D. that
4. A. especially B. so C. really D. very
5. A. while B. still C. but D. and
6. A. when B. that C. where D. for
7. A. Now B. then C. also D. secondly
8. A. new B. some C. the D. good
9. A. if B. as C. whenever D. since
10. A. However B. moreover C. furthermore D. indeed
11. A. will B. could C. should D. can
12. A. right B. important C. sensible D. acceptable
13. A. forget B. leave C. keep D. abandon
14. A. at B. on C. over D. about
15. A. joy B. fun C. humour D. pleasure
For questions 16 and 17 select the alternative that means the same as the underlined sentence.
16. As soon as Jam arrived, it started raining.
A. Janet arrived just as it was beginning to rain.
B. Janet arrived and immediately it started raining.
C. It started raining and immediately Janet arrived.
D. It started raining and Janet arrived soon afterwards.
17. Aticgg rarely goes to town.
A. Atieno never goes to town.
B. Atieno sometimes goes to town.
C. Atieno usually goes to town.
D. Atieno hardly goes to town.
In questions 18 and 19, choose the alternate that can best complete the given sentence.
18. If I passed very well
A. I would have gone to a national school
B. l could have gone to a national school
C. could go to a national school
D. would go to a national school.
19. When we arrived in school today, we found neither the headteacher
A. as well as the deputy
B. and also the deputy
C. nor the deputy
D. or the deputy.
For questions 20 and 21, choose the words that can best replace the underlined words.
20. The teacher said that participation in sports is not optional.
A. necessary
B. compulsory
C. advisable
D. good
21. Karen’s father bought her a unique watch.
A a beautiful
B. an interesting
C . 3 rare
D. an expensive
For questions 22 to 23 choose the best arrangement of the sentences to form a sensible paragraph.
22. (i) A girl shot up from her seat and rushed to the front.
(ii) The conductor had just finished checking the tickets.
(iii) She pleaded with the driver not to leave her mother.
(iv) Satisfied that all was well. he pressed the bell to signal the driver to start.
A. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
B. (ii) (iii) (iv) (i)
C. (i) (iii) (ii) (iv)
D. (ii) (iv) (i) (iii)
23. (i) In fact. one does not need a passport to travel within the region.
(ii) Travelling in the East African region has never been easier.
(iii) Since the signing of the Common Market Treaty, restrictions on travel have been lifted.
(iv) All one needs are proper national identification papers.
A. (ii) (i) (iii) (iv)
B. (ii) (iii) (i) (iv)
C. (iii) (ii) (i) (iv)
D. (iii) (iv) (i) (ii)
Read the passage below and answer questions 24 and 25.
Three girls, Mwikali, Wanjiku and Nafula. were choosing subjects. Mwikali chose French; Wanjiku chose English, while Nafula chose German. The three girls then chose Mathematics and Science. For the fourth subject, Mwikali and Wanjiku chose History but Nafula decided to take CRE. Next, Wanjiku and Nafula chose Art and Design while Mwikali chose Agriculture. In addition, Wanjiku took Computer Studies.
24. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Only two subjects were chosen by all the girls.
B. Only one subject was chosen by one girl.
C. Wanjiku and Nafula share all the subjects except one.
D. Nafula and Mwikali chose more subjects than Wanjiku.
25. Which of the following subject combinations did Mwikali choose‘?
A. French, CRE, Art and Design
B. French. History and Computer Studies
C. French, History and Agriculture
D. French. Agriculture and CRE.
Read the passage below and then answer questions 26 to 38.
Stasha considered herself a very lucky little girl. She had the most loving parents. Her parents were immensely rich. She lacked for nothing. Her favourite time was bedtime when her parents would tell her wonderful inspiring stories. However, all this was shattered one afternoon when her mother died suddenly of an unknown illness. Stasha and her father were heartbroken. He suddenly looked old. Deciding to devote himself to Stasha, he swore never to remarry.
It wasn‘t long, however, before it became clear that he couldn’t manage to bring his daughter up on his own. He therefore remarried and got two other daughters. If Stasha had hoped to gain another loving mother and siblings to share things and play with, she was badly mistaken. Her stepmother turned her into a servant — one could even say a slave. She was expected to do all the household chores and the farm work as well. Heavy beating awaited her if she failed to finish the work. She always looked dirty, overworked, weak and famished for she never had enough to eat.
One day when Stasha’s father was travelling to another country, he asked his three daughters what they would like him to bring each of them. The stepsisters asked for expensive shoes. clothes and jewellery. Stasha, on the other hand, paused for a long time and then requested “Please bring me the most beautiful plant that you can find.” And for once in a long time, her father did not fail her. The plant was truly beautiful. She planted it on her mother’s grave and watered it faithfully. As if to respond to her tender loving care, it blossomed and produced the most beautiful flowers ever seen.
It attracted colourful birds and insects. One particular bird, called Chapchap, became Stasha’s best friend and advisor. Whenever the stepmother and sisters tried to uproot the plant, Chapchap ordered the insects to attack them viciously.
Days turned into years, then one day, the son of the king declared that he wanted to marry. He ordered that all the beautiful young girls of the land attend a three-day party at the palace. It was from among them that he would choose his bride. Each girl adorned herself in her best clothes and jewellery. Poor Stasha had no such but her friend, Chapchap, came in handy. He not only gave her very beautiful clothes and shoes but also helped her finish her chores in good time. At the palace, the Prince was simply enchanted with her beauty. On the second day, Chapchap gave her gold bracelets for her small shapely wrists. The Prince could hardly take his eyes off her. He danced with her all evening. Stasha‘s stepsisters were green with envy and wondered which heaven this rival had dropped from. They were relieved when she left early but the Prince was very disappointed.
On the final day of the party, Stasha lost one bracelet as the Prince tried to stop her from escaping early yet again. The following day, the Prince swore that his bride would be the girl that the discarded bracelet would fit. He went from home to home looking for the girl. When he eventually came to Stasha’s home, her stepsisters found a golden opportunity to try their luck. The elder one tried to cut her thumb so that the bracelet could fit her but Chapchap alerted the Prince. The younger one, whose hand was too small had herself stung by a bee in the wrist, but once again. Chapchap blew the whistle on her.
Chapchap then advised the Prince to try the bracelet on the dirt—covered girl in the garden. lt fitted her perfectly. The Prince immediately ordered that plans for the wedding commence. Even more colourful was the wedding that followed a few days later. Stasha, against the advice of Chapchap, had invited even her stepmother and stepsisters.
26. What made Stasha consider herself very lucky? .
A. She had both parents.
B. She lacked for nothing.
C. Her parents were immensely rich.
D. Her parents spent valuable time with her.
27. Why do you think Stasha‘s father swore not to marry again‘?
A. He didn’t want other women.
B. He loved Stasha’s mother too much.
C. He didn‘t want anyone to come between him and Stasha.
D. He had now become too old to attract any woman.
28. What disappointed Stasha after her father remarried?
A. She was really mistreated.
B. Her stepsisters could not play with her.
C. Her father had broken the promise he had made.
D. Her stepmother was not as loving as Stasha’s own mother.
29. The word famished means one who is
A. really overworked
B. extremely hungry
C. really dirty
D. extremely weak.
30. What do we learn about Stasha’s father after he remarried?
A. He did not want to favour his daughter.
B. He stopped loving Stasha.
C. He often disappointed Stasha.
D. He failed to protect his daughter.
31. Why do you think Stasha’s stepmother and stepsisters tried to uproot the plant?
A. it made them jealous of Stasha.
B. Stasha wasted time watering it.
C. Stasha had planted it on her mothers grave.
D. lt attracted many birds and vicious insects.
32. Which of the following is not true about Chapehap?
A. He had supernatural powers.
B. He was good at working with his hands.
C. He wore beautiful clothes and shoes.
D. He had authority over insects.
33. Why didn’t Stasha’s stepsisters recognize her at the party’?
A. They did not expect her at the party.
B. She wore beautiful clothes and shoes.
C. They had left her at home working.
D. She escaped before they could see her properly.
34. We can describe Stasha as
A. reliable and humorous
B. honest and independent-minded
C. hardworking and forgiving
D. brave and patient.
35. Stasha probably left the party early because she
A. wanted to return the borrowed items to Chapchap
B. was tired after dancing with the prince all evening
C. wanted to get home before she was discovered
D. wanted to avoid her stepsisters who were green with envy.
36. The actions of Stasha’s stepsisters when the Prince visited their home show that they were
A. desperate
B. evil
C. cruel
D. courageous.
37. The expression blew the whistle on her means that Chapehap
A. spoilt her plan
B. revealed her trick
C. called the prince to see for himself
D. witnessed everything that she was doing.
38. The best title for this passage would be:
A. Stasha’s Luck
B. Stasha‘s Best Friend
C. Stasha’s Cruel Stepmother
D. Stasha and Her Sisters
Read the following passage below and then answer questions 39 to 50.
The pupils of Kimbuni Primary School and the neighbouring community have realized that it is possible to grow a forest even in a dry area.
Ten years ago, Mr. Kumbi was posted to the school to teach Science. The headteacher said that the new teacher was very keen on tree planting and farming. “He will be in charge of the afforestation campaign and he will help us to establish a school farm.” the headteacher declared. The pupils stared at the headteacher and Mr. Kumbi in disbelief. What kind of farming could happen in this place which received rain only in November and remained dry and dusty for the rest of the year? The headteacher was a local resident and he knew what Mr. Kumbi was proposing was not going to be easy. But he promised to co-operate. Mr. Kumbi had received agricultural training in college. He was so enthusiastic and confident that the headteacher admired him.
Today. Mr. Kumbi is the proud patron of the Environmental Club, the Young Farmers’ Association and the Green Belt movement in the school. He has inspired such love for growing trees that each pupil in the school has planted at least two trees and is taking care of them. The species include the exotic and indigenous ones. The pupils believe that the greenery of the whole compound which has even spread to the surrounding village is entirely the work of Mr. Kumbi. However, Mr. Kumbi emphasizes that it is the efforts of the pupils. At no stage does he give himself the credit that is so obviously his.
The pupils remember the trips Mr. Kumbi used to make in his pick-up truck to get red soil and seedlings. They remember going to collect cow dung from the fields and their homes. Fetching water from the stream was very tiring. Later. the headteacher and the parents organised a fundraising event and the school was able to buy a water pump.
The water pump has enabled the school not only to water the trees but also to grow food crops. Nowadays. pupils of Kimbuni Primary School can boast of a good meal at lunch time and a quiet retreat into the forest they have helped to grow. The school is a big contrast to what it used to be ten years ago when parents had to buy every food item on the menu. draw water and meet the cost of replacing corrugated sheets blown off by the wind.
Kimbuni Primary School is now a model school. It is surrounded by trees and there are lovely plots of potatoes. cabbage. beans. cauliflower and kales. There are also banana groves and small plantations of maize and millet. The school also keeps dairy cows, pigs and poultry. The boys and girls no longer look for manure for they have more than enough. The school is a living example of what determination can do.
39. The school started planting trees
A. because the area was very dry
B. in November when it is wet
C. when it got a water pump
D. when Mr. Kumbi was posted there.
40. The pupils‘ reaction when they were first told about tree planting and farming shows that they
A. thought that the headteacher was not serious
B. wondered if they had heard properly
C. were doubtful that the project would succeed
D. had never considered such a thing.
41. The school had not planted trees before because
A. it only rained once a year
B. nobody wanted to plant trees
C. there was no red soil
D. everybody thought it was too difficult.
42. What made Mr. Kumbi succeed in his efforts?
A. He was determined and interested in everything he did.
B. He was determined and got support from everybody.
C. He was an enthusiastic and confident person.
D. He was an enthusiast and co-operative person.
43. From the fourth paragraph we learn that
A. the pupils enjoy taking care of trees
B. the trees on the school were planted by “The Green Belt Movement”
C. only exotic trees were planted in the school
D. Mr. Kumbi is proud of the work he has done.
44. The word exotic as used in the passage means
A. strange
B. common
C. traditional
D foreign
45. Which of the following does not describe Mr. Kumbi’s character?
A. hardworking
B. influential
C. humble
D. proud
46. How has the keeping of livestock helped to improve the school farm?
A. it has made the school farm a model.
B. It has provided manure for the school farm.
C. It has made milk and meat available.
D. It has made the school farm attractive.
47. Why don’t the parents keep replacing the roof any more?
A. The wind does not blow any more.
B. They have put on a permanent roof.
C. The roof is not blown off by the wind any more.
D. They have planted trees all round.
48. Why do you think it was necessary to buy a water pump‘?
A. It made it easier to water the trees and crops.
B. It was very tiring to keep walking to the stream.
C. The parents wanted to expand the school farm.
D. The parents had raised enough money to buy the pump.
49. We are told in the passage that. the greenery spread to the surrounding villages. This means
A. the whole area has become green
B. the water pump was helping everyone
C. the community realized the importance of trees
D. the community also began to plant trees.
50. What do you think would be a suitable title for this passage?
A. Trees in the Desert.
B. Successful Tree Planting.
C. Mr. Kumbi and the Trees.
D. Transformation of Kimbuni.
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