Read carefully the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

(1) Pat and Sally went to wash and change their dirty dresses. The committee was coming to
afternoon tea. And, at tea, the two girls, dressed in smart, clean dresses, handed

round cakes and bread and butter with demure and reserved looks. They knew how to behave
at tea, at a party. They were enjoying the dignity of their own performance Their eyes passed
over their father as if he was only another guest, to be served. \

And now, seeking as it were a new level of security, of resignation, he said to himself ‘Heavens,
but what did I expect? In a year or two more, I shan’t count at all. Young men will come
prowling, like dogs after Snowy. I shall be an old buffer, useful only tq pay bills.’

The ladies were talking about the cause of a boy of fourteen, a nice respectable box who had
suddenly robbed his mother and gone off in a stolen car. Sally, sitting at her mother’s feet, was
listening intently. Pat was feeding chocolate roll to Snowy.

Speed felt as if he was being stifled. He wanted urgently to get away, to escape. Yes, he
needed some male society. He would go to the club. Perhaps no one would be there but the
card room crowd and he hated cards.'But he might find old Wilman in the billiard room. Wilman
was a crashing mtg who spent half his life at the club and was always telling you how he had
foreseen the slump, and how clever he was at investing money. But what good was money to
the old man? Speed thought he could pass an hour or two with Wilman till dinner time, even
dine with him. He could phone his wife and let her know. She would not mind and he need not
go home till the children were in

bed.

And when, after tea, the committee members pulled out their agenda to begin their meetings, he
stole away. Suddenly, as he turned by the corner of the house, skirting the front garden wall, he
heard running steps and a breathless call. He turned. It was Sally. ‘Oh, I couldn’t catch you,’ she
said panting. '

‘What is it Sally?’ ‘I wanted to look at the cut.’

Speed began to stoop for her but she cried, ‘No, I’ll get on the wall. Put me up.’ He lifted her on
the garden wall which made her about a foot taller than himself. Having reached this superior
position, she poked at the plaster on his temple. ‘1 just wanted to make sure it was sticking.
Yes, it’s all right.’ '

She looked down at him with an expression he did not recognise. What was the game -’
medical-maternal? The child frowned. She was struck by something new and unexpected. Then
she tossed back her hair. ‘Goodbye,’ she said, jumping down and running off. The man walked
slowly towards the club. ‘No,’ he thought, ‘not quite a game. She’s growing up, and so am I.’ '

(a) (i) Given below are four Words or phrases. Find the words which have a similar meaning in
the passage: [4]
1. quiet, shy, and serious
2. going about stealthily in search of prey
3. uncomplaining endurance
4. smothered

3. uncomplaining endurance 4. smothered

(ii) For each Of the words given below write a sentence of at least 10 words, using the same
word unchanged in form, but with a different meaning from that it carries in
the passage: [4]

1. smart

2. roll

3. club

4. bore

(b) Answer the following questions as briefly as possible in your own words:

1. What did the girls do at tea? I [2]

2. What were the ladies talking about? [2] 3. What did Speed plan to do at the club? Why? [3]
4. What happened when Speed turned the corner? [3]

(c) In about 100 words of your own describe Speed’s plans for the evening and his feelings
during and after tea.

You will be required to: (1) list your ideas and points (ii) write your points in the form of a
connected passage. [6+6=12]