Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
1.
As we stand, HIV/Aids pandemic is on the rampage, ravaging the young and old alike. It is time for people to decide for themselves what is good and what is not. And the earlier they do this is the better.
The youth, for instance, can rise up with the message of hope and assure everybody that it is possible for a remnant to remain by just abstaining from premarital sex. And how will they abstain if everywhere they look images of sex stare at them, beckoning alluringly?
The thing to remember is that it is their responsibility to censor the stuff that gets into their minds because this will definitely affect the kind of decisions and lifestyles they adopt. Before reading a pornographic book or magazine, they should pause and ask themselves, “Do I hope to become better after reading this?”The same consideration should be made before watching certain movies and listening to offensive music. Guarding one’s mind against trash requires laying down very clear principles. Discipline is imperative.
For young people, it is important to choose friends wisely. They should determine what they will be doing when they come together. If a friend is not building them up, or is causing them undue pressure, they then should shun him or her. This pressure often takes the form of making those who choose to abstain from pre-marital or illicit sex feel inadequate.
Avoiding idleness is equally important. The wise say that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The
solution is to get busy with constructive activities be they academic, economic, physical or spiritual. Trying out new hobbies such as gardening, playing football, swimming, basket weaving, banking and volunteer work is a step in the right direction.
Parents must also take full responsibility of bringing up their children. They are the first counselors of their children especially in the formative stages. Unless they do something in good time, they will cry alone when the disaster of teenage pregnancies, abortion and HIV/Aids happens right under their own roofs. The onus is upon them to freely discuss issues of sexuality with their children.
Teachers too have a very crucial role to play in the lives of their students. The youth spend a bigger
percentage of their waking moments with their teachers. The teachers not only equip them with academic knowledge but also with the right attitude and behaviour. And it is good thing that sex education has been introduced in the school curriculum. Studies by AMREF have shown that, contrary to popular belief, sex education does not promote promiscuity. Rather, it enlightens its recipients on reproductive health issues.
Moreover, places of worship must pitch in with their contribution. They are in an excellent position of
imparting the correct moral values of their adherents. Besides, they can provide social and religious activities that will build youth up spiritually and mentally.
Finally, it is incumbent upon the government to put in place legislation governing what citizens, especially the youth, are exposed to in the form of print or electronic media.
In conclusion, the future generation is keenly watching us to see if we will wreck or salvage the boat of their survival. Every member of our society has a part to play in enhancing morality. It is only by doing this that we can hope to check the onslaught of HIV/Aids.
(Adapted from the “The Christian Student” Vol. 1/2001)
Questions
1. Why is there need to make a decision soon. (2 marks)
2. What is pornography and how do you think it influences one’s behaviour. (3 marks)
3. Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech. They should pose and ask themselves “Do I
hope to become better after reading this?”(1 mark)
4. Which words does the author use to show displeasure with some kinds of film music? (2 marks)
5. What sort of friends does the writer appear to approve. (2 marks)
6. In note form, give evidence to show that every member of the society has a role to play in
enhancing morality. (4 marks)
7. What is the writer’s attitude towards pornography (1 mark)
8. Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions as used in the passage. (4 marks)
(i) Beckoning alluringly
(ii) Adherents
(iii) Incumbent upon
(iv) Onslaught
20 marks
2.LITERATURE (25 Marks)
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
2.
At cockcrow the next day, the usual hour for starting a long journey, the three started out on their epic journey. It was still very dark but they walked surefooted as only those who live in bush country can. The dewy grass slapped moistly against their swiftly moving legs and trees and tree stumps rose suddenly out of the darkness making grotesque shadows out of the great shadow of the night. The trees whispered conspiratorially at each other and once in a while an owl hooted, or some animal called its make, or a hyena laughed hysterically in the night. For all their bravado, the young men would have been at least a little afraid were it not for the calm confidence that Akoko exuded.
When there was a little and one could reduce one’s vigilance a little, Akoko started to recite the history of the people of Ramogi. This was not just a pastime but a bounden duty-for the history of the tribe could only be transmitted by mouth from generation to generation, else how can you know where you are going unless you know where you are coming from? Therefore whenever an elder was alone with a young person, he or she always recited the history of the tribe or clan.
“In the beginning, Were was alone in the world which was beautiful. Were is a spirit and a spirit is likea
flame, you can only see it, but you cannot get hold of it. It is like air which you know is there but which
you cannot touch. It is like the wind which can uproot a tree and hurl it afar but has no substance. It is like lightining which is seen in many places at once but is in none. Yes, it is like the essence of man which makes him all that he is yet departs from his quietly and suddenly leaving only a dead image. Were a great spirit. Ramogi and his brothers who were men. Man has a form which is spiritual. Were sent the men he had created to various parts of the world to settle in it. Ramogi he sent to the country around the great lake which was a great favour for he had more spirit than his brothers. The wife whom Were gave him was called Nyar Nam who embodied the spirit of the great lake. They had many children including Rachuonyo.
Sakwa, Asembo, Yimbo, Gem, Uyoma, Nyakach, Seme and Ugenya among others who settled around the lake, tilling land, taming animals and catching fish. These are children of Ramogi from whom we all arise. Of the children of Ramogi many great brave men have arisen. They are called, thuondi the brave ones. These men of renown include Lwanda Magere. So strong and brave a warrior was he that it is rumoured that the sharp spears of Lang’o warriors could not pierce his skin. Then there was Gor Mahia, the wily one who could change his form into anything at all, thus confounding the enemy. There were many others, great leaders and warriors and women of renown such as Lela Kabanda, the mighty warrior, Onyango Randar – man of war, Ogutu Kipapi, great warriror and my direct ancestors, Tawo Kogot, Obando Mumbo, Oracha Rambo, and the woman Nyamgondho of mighty wealth. There are many others whom we should aspire to imitate. She continued in that vein with the twins interjecting a question now and again until they reached the boarders of Gem where they rested for the night.
(Extract availed on The River And The Source)
Questions
(a) (i) Explain why Akoko makes this journey at this point in the story. (4 marks)
(ii)This journey has a bearing in future events in the text, in which ways? (4 marks)
(b) Explain two stylistic devices in this excerpt showing their effectiveness. (6 marks)
(c) Identify and illustrate any one theme in the excerpt. (2 marks)
(d) Describe two character traits of Akoko as brought out in this extract. (4 marks)
(e) ‘Were’ is a great spirit……………(add an appropriate question tag) ( 1 mark)
(f) Explain briefly what happens immediately after this extract. (4 marks)
25 marks
Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.
3.
AN ELEGY
When we was here,
We planned each tomorrow.
With him in mind.
For we saw no parting.
Looming beyond the horizon.
When he was here,
We joked and laughed together.
And no feeting shadow of a ghost.
Ever crossed out paths.
Day by day we lived.
On this side of the mist.
And there was never a sign.
That his hours were running fast.
When he was gone.
Through glazed eyes we searched.
Beyond the mist and the shadows.
For we couldn’t believe he was nowhere.
We could not believe he was dead.
(Laban Erapu)
(a) What is the poem about? (2 marks)
(b) Give evidence in the poem to show that the death of the person referred to in the poem was not
expected? (3 marks)
(c) Explain the relationship between the persona and the person who is now dead. (2 marks)
(d) Rewrite the following in your ow words “that his hours were running fast” (1 mark)
(e) Explain the image of the mist in the last stanza of the poem. (2 marks)
(f) What do you think is the importance of repeating the following line in stanza 1 & 2.
“When he was here” (2 marks)
(g) Explain the meaning of the following line as used in the poem.
(i) We planned each tomorrow. (1 mark)
(ii) Through glazed eyes we searched. (1 mark)
(h) “We joked and laughed together”, Rewrite in inverted form. (1 mark)
(i) Give the poem another suitable title. (1 mark)
(j) Comment on the major theme in the poem. (2 marks)
(k) What is the mood of the poem? (2 marks)
20 marks
4.GRAMMAR (15 Marks)
Answer the following questions.
4.
Complete the blank space with the correct form of the word in brackets.
(i) Kimani has not yet recovered from his _________________(dread) encounter with robbers.
(ii) Besides the men, Mau Mau also had several __________________ (hero) who fought for our
independence.
(iii) He _________________(often) visits his grandmother.
3 marks
5.
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
(i) She never came to school late last year. (Begin: Not once)
(ii) But for the pilot’s quick action, the plane would have crashed. (Begin: Had it …………)
(iii) The council warned the traders repeatedly but they insisted on hawking in the restricted area.
(use ‘in spite of’)
3 marks
6.
Replace the words in brackets with an appropriate phrasal verb.
(i) The driver who was driving at a high speed was ordered by the traffic police to
________________(stop) the vehicle.
(ii) We hope that our plans ___________________(succeeds)
(iii) The grandmother ___________________(liked) her grandchildren.
3 marks
7.
Complete each of the following sentences by filling in the correct prepositions.
(i) My father deals ______________ second hand clothes.
(ii) My sister is good ___________________ swimming.
(iii)My brothers and I will share this piece of land ___________________ ourselves.
3 marks
8.
Form an adverb from the word: Presume
1 marks
9.
Explain two meanings of the following sentence: Flying planes can be dangerous.
