Booklet I

Name: ....................................................................... Register no: ......... Class: ............

NGEE ANN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Building CharacterExpanding MindsShaping Lives

End-of-Year Examination 2009

Secondary One Express
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English Language
Paper 2
Thursday Duration: 1 hr 40 min
8 October 2009

Additional Materials
NIL

Instructions to Candidates:
1. You will be given 2 Booklets for this paper.

a. Booklet I – Cloze Passage, Editing and Comprehension

b. Booklet II – Summary Writing

2. Write your name, register number and class at the top of this page.

3. Answer ALL questions in ink.

4. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

5. Mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar may be penalized in any part of the
paper.

6. Submit Booklets I & II separately. After checking of answer scripts

Checked by Signature Date

Student

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE OVER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.
This Question Paper consists of 14 printed pages (including the cover page).
 Booklet I
2

SECTION A – LANGUAGE & GRAMMAR [20 MARKS]

PART 1 : CLOZE PASSAGE [10 marks]

Fill in each blank with a suitable word. Write each answer in the spaces
provided in the passage.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer. He first studied music with his
father, (1) ______ was a singer. After a while, even though he was still only a boy,
he started travelling far and wide to perform and was soon supporting his family. He
was just twelve years old when he performed for the first time in public. Ludwig
studied with famous composers like Hadyn and Mozart. He was known as a very
serious boy, (2) ________ when it came to music.

Beethoven was a musical genius, but (3) ________ music did not come easy. He
was constantly changing the music he wrote. It got even harder for him when he
started going deaf (4) ________ the age of 30. In order to (5) ________ with people,
Beethoven kept books in which he and his acquaintances wrote down their
conversations. It must have been heartbreaking for Beethoven to (6) ________ his
hearing when he had such an obvious passion for music. Yet, even (7) ________ he
could no longer hear, he went on to write some of his best music!

Beethoven is famous for his nine symphonies. But he also wrote many other
(8)________ of music: chamber and choral music, music for piano and string
quartets, ballets, as well as one opera. One piece of Beethoven’s piano music that
has been loved by many through the years is his “Ode to Joy”, as it (9) ________ of
the blessings of love and friendship.

Beethoven spent most of his adult life in Vienna and, because of his great music,
came to be known as the most important composer who has (10) ________ lived.

Answers:
(1) ______________________ (6) ____________________

(2) ______________________ (7) ____________________

(3) ______________________ (8) ____________________

(4) ______________________ (9) ____________________

(5) ______________________ (10) ____________________

 Booklet I
3

PART 2 : EDITING [10 marks]

Underline 10 grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors (excluding the

first error given to you) in the passage below and write the correct answer
above the error.

was
The choir room were extraordinarily noisy. The excitment of a new day was rushing
through everyone.

"All right, class, quiet down," Mr. Dunn spoke in his authorative voice, the voice that
made people shiver with fear.

"Let's begin with scales. Ready?" He tapped his baton on the music stand. He
gripped it as though it held all the power in the world to reign over our self-esteem.

"Ha ha ha ha." Loud laughter burst from someone to the left of me. I turned to saw
who it was. My face turned red. It was mark. My crush on him was given away by my
bright face. Suddenly, a loud tapping was heard.

"Who was laughing just now" Mr. Dunn’s voice boomed throughout the auditorum.

There was silence.

"Who was it?" He strike the stand with his baton. His eyes searched the risers for the
gilty party for whom the lecture would be worthy.

I felt his eyes pass over me. I was afraid for Mark because I just knew that Mr. Dunn
would figured out it was him. I guess it didn't help much that 59 out of the 60 choir
student were staring straight at Mark.
 Booklet I
4

SECTION B – COMPREHENSION [40 MARKS]

Read Passage A and Passage B carefully, and then answer all the questions which
follow.

Passage A

1 A newborn baby girl was crammed into a garbage can along with greasy 1
take-out containers, empty bottles, and coffee grounds, doomed to die two
days before Easter in her would-be tomb – a black plastic trash bag, knotted
shut. But Jake Bingham and his ever-vigilant Labrador retriever, Darko,
happened to pass by, and the stage was set for a modern-day miracle. 5

2 Shortly before 7 a.m. on 29 March, Bingham and Darko were taking their
early morning walk, despite the unpleasant weather. Their usual routine
includes a stroll down Yakima Avenue to 1st Street, then back along Tacoma
Avenue, but that morning, Bingham was in a hurry and decided to cut through
an alley to save time. He and his dog were midway through when, suddenly, 10
Darko sensed something that gave him cause for pause.

3 “It was weird,” Bingham later said. “My dog just started pulling me toward this
trash can. He was barking and pulling. When we got up to it, I heard
something cry.”

4 At first, Bingham thought a cat or some kind of rodent had gotten stuck in the 15
trash can. Annoyed, he yanked his leash to keep Darko from moving. And
that was when the dog became deranged.

5 “Darko started straining toward the can desperately. He was jumping up on it,
trying to nose open the lid,” Bingham said. “He wouldn’t come with me and
wouldn’t obey. I’d never seen him act like that before. And the entire time, 20
there was this crying noise coming from inside. I had to see what the deal
was.”

6 Bingham dropped the leash, opened the can, and tossed out bag after bag
until he reached the one making the noise. Ripping it open, he found a
shocker inside – a newborn baby girl with her umbilical cord still attached. 25
She was wrapped in a bloody towel and sharing the bag with wadded toilet
paper, sanitary napkin wrappers, and other grime. She was screaming for her
life, literally.

7 Bingham, his cell phone in hand, immediately snapped a picture of the scene
before wrapping the baby in his coat. He then punched “911” on his cell 30
phone. Police officer Keith Cruz was the first to respond to the call.

8 “I went over there expecting the worst,” he said. “It was the typical chilly
drizzle. The baby was bloody from the birth experience and bluish in colour
but still alive.”

9 The approximately four weeks premature infant, weighing 6 pounds, 10 35

ounces, was rushed to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital at Tacoma General
 Booklet I
5
and is currently listed as “fair-to-guarded condition”, hospital spokeswoman
Claire Miles said.

10 “Another thirty minutes in the weather would more than likely have caused
the baby’s heart to stop,” said Dr. Jyoti More, who had examined the infant 40
upon arrival.

11 “As it was, her body temperature had dropped to 89 degrees. We are all very
happy we have got her in time.” Dr. More estimated the baby was found
within two hours of birth.

12 The rescued baby is currently being treated for hypothermia and dehydration 45
due to her exposure to the elements. Doctors are also watching a mild
concussion, possibly sustained during the birth experience or from blows to
the head.
Adapted from The News Tribune
 Booklet I
6
Passage B

1 Sitting on the porch of his family's home with his head in his hands and tears 1
rolling down his face, Jimmy was reminiscing over what had just taken place.
He had taken part in the demise of a poor little terrier dog.

2 They had lived in this small farming town for several years and they had
witnessed animals killed before. Once, a mad dog was shot to protect the 5
people of the town. Jimmy never witnessed the actual shooting so he could
put that out of his mind quickly.

3 But being a witness to this would be unforgivable. It would be murder. This

little terrier dog had not harmed anyone. The dog had just shown up in town a
few hours ago. He came up to the boys wagging his tail, hoping for some 10
food, they figured. He was thin and his hair was matted down like he had
been on his own for several days.

4 Jimmy asked, "You think we could find something for him to eat, Chance?"

5 "Maybe, if my dad isn't home,” he answered.

6 The boys hurried on down the dirt road toward the house. Chance went in, 15
but it wasn't long before he returned empty-handed. His father was behind
him yelling.

7 "No one in town can afford to feed that worthless mutt." He continued,
muttering, "Somebody just pushed it out of the car in this town so he wouldn't
have to feed it." The boys didn't say anything. The old man finished his 20
speech as he went back in the house letting the screen door slam behind
him. "It's only a worthless mutt. Do as I tell you, and take it down to the river
and shoot it.”

8 Shortly after, Chance came out of the house with the 22-calibre rifle. He
stopped by the pile of wood, next to the outhouse. There he picked up a short 25
rope that lay on the ground. The dog was still with them. Chance put a noose
over the dog’s head and proceeded to the river. He loaded the gun without
saying anything. Jimmy felt that Chance was as unwilling to shoot the animal
as he was.

9 As they walked the hundred yards to the river, Jimmy asked, "Are you really 30
going to kill this dog?"

10 "My dad told me to,” he dryly retorted.

11 They walked along the river for another ten yards before Chance found a
small sapling to which he tied the animal. He pulled the rope up tight to the
tree so the terrier couldn't move his head excessively, and cause Chance to 35
miss his shot. Chance handed the rifle toward Jimmy.

12 "You want to do it?" he asked.

13 Jimmy turned his head and started to walk away.

 Booklet I
7
14 Chance pointed the gun at the dog’s head. Jimmy looked back in time to see
the awareness of the moment in the eyes of the poor animal as the report of 40
the rifle echoed in Jimmy's ears.

15 A cold, sick feeling rushed over Jimmy. He felt like throwing up, crying, and
running away all at the same instant. He just stood there, watching.

16 The boys went on down the road with terrible feelings of wrong doing. Neither
lad cared to mess around any more that day. They had just murdered a living 45
being.

Adapted from Witness to Murder

by Donald Courtney
 8
NOTE: When a question asks you to answer in your own words, YOU MUST
NOT COPY THE WORDS IN THE PASSAGE IN YOUR ANSWER.

From Passage A:

Match statements 1 to 3 to a particular paragraph in the passage. Write the

paragraph number in the boxes provided. [3]

1. The baby is being placed under observation in the hospital.

2. Darko pulled Bingham to where the baby was.

3. The baby was discovered by Bingham and Darko.

For Questions 4, 5 and 6, choose the most suitable option and write your answer
in the brackets provided. [3]

4. Which of the following words can replace the word “vigilant” (line 4)?

A lively
B helpful
C negligent
D observant ( )

5. Who was the second person to arrive at the scene?

A Claire Miles
B Jake Bingham
C Keith Cruz
D Jyoti More ( )

6. What about the weather would most likely have caused the baby to die?

A the cold
B the heat
C the wind
D the lightning ( )
 Booklet I
9
From Paragraph 1
7. “The stage was set for a modern-day miracle”. (line 5)
Explain what this “miracle” was. [1]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 2
8. Why did Bingham choose to walk his dog, Darko, through the alley that
morning? [1]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 4
9. Which word in the passage has the same meaning as “crazy”? [1]
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

10. Why was Bingham reluctant to look into the garbage can at first? [1]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 5
11. “I had to see what the deal was”. (lines 21-22)
Explain what Bingham wanted to do, and why. [2]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
 Booklet I
10

From Paragraph 6
12. Explain, in your own words, the first thing that Bingham did at the scene. [2]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
 Booklet I
11
From Passage B

From Paragraph 7
13. “It’s only a worthless mutt”. (line 22)
What was Chance’s father referring to? [1]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 8
14. Why did Chance put a noose over the dog’s head? [2]

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 11
15. Why do you think Chance handed the rifle toward Jimmy? [1]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From Paragraph 13
16. What was Jimmy’s response when Chance asked him to shoot the dog? [2]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
 Booklet I
12

From Paragraph 16
17. In your own words, explain why the boys had terrible feelings of wrong
doing. [2]

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

From the whole passage

18. Explain in not more than 7 words, the meaning of each word as it is used in
the passage. [3]

a) retorted (line 32) ___________________________________________

b) excessively (line 35) ___________________________________________

c) awareness (line 40) ___________________________________________

 13 Booklet II

NGEE ANN SECONDARY SCHOOL

END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION 2009
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2
SECONDARY 1 EXPRESS

Name: ....................................................................... Register no: ......... Class: ............

19. From Passage B - Summary Writing

Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the steps that Chance took in
shooting the terrier dog.

USE ONLY THE MATERIAL IN PASSAGE B FROM PARAGRAPHS 8 TO 14.

Your summary, which must be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be
more than 120 words, including the 8 words given below. You must use your own
words as far as possible. [15]

Begin your summary as follows:

After being told to shoot the dog, Chance _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 14

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

No. of words: _______

END OF PAPER
 15

Answer key

PART 1 : CLOZE PASSAGE [10 marks]

Fill in each blank with a suitable word. Write each answer in the spaces
provided in the passage.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer. He first studied music with his
father, (1) ______ was a singer. After a while, even though he was still only a boy,
he started travelling far and wide to perform and was soon supporting his family. He
was just twelve years old when he performed for the first time in public. Ludwig
studied with famous composers like Hadyn and Mozart. He was known as a very
serious boy, (2) ________ when it came to music.

Beethoven was a musical genius, but (3) ________ music did not come easy. He
was constantly changing the music he wrote. It got even harder for him when he
started going deaf (4) ________ the age of 30. In order to (5) ________ with people,
Beethoven kept books in which he and his acquaintances wrote down their
conversations. It must have been heartbreaking for Beethoven to (6) ________ his
hearing when he had such an obvious passion for music. Yet, even (7) ________ he
could no longer hear, he went on to write some of his best music!

Beethoven is famous for his nine symphonies. But he also wrote many other
(8)________ of music: chamber and choral music, music for piano and string
quartets, ballets, as well as one opera. One piece of Beethoven’s piano music that
has been loved by many through the years is his “Ode to Joy”, as it (9) ________ of
the blessings of love and friendship.

Beethoven spent most of his adult life in Vienna and, because of his great music,
came to be known as the most important composer who has (10) ________ lived.

Cloze Passage Answers:

(1) who
______________________ (6) lose
____________________

(2) especially
______________________ (7) though
____________________

(3) writing/composing
______________________ (8) kinds/types/genres
____________________

(4) at
______________________ (9) sings/tells
____________________

(5) communicate/interact
______________________ (10) ever
____________________
 16
PART 2 : EDITING [10 marks]

Underline 10 grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors (excluding the

first error given to you) in the passage below and write the correct answer
above the error.

was 1) excitement
The choir room were extraordinarily noisy. The excitment of a new day was rushing
through everyone.
2) authoritative
"All right, class, quiet down," Mr. Dunn spoke in his authorative voice, the voice that
made people shiver with fear.

"Let's begin with scales. Ready?" He tapped his baton on the music stand. He
gripped it as though it held all the power in the world to reign over our self-esteem.
3) see
"Ha ha ha ha." Loud laughter burst from someone to the left of me. I turned to saw
4) Mark
who it was. My face turned red. It was mark. My crush on him was given away by my
bright face. Suddenly, a loud tapping was heard.
5) ? 6) auditorium
"Who was laughing just now " Mr. Dunn’s voice boomed throughout the auditorum.

There was silence.

7) struck
"Who was it?" He strike the stand with his baton. His eyes searched the risers for the
8) guilty
gilty party for whom the lecture would be worthy.

I felt his eyes pass over me. I was afraid for Mark because I just knew that Mr. Dunn
9) figure
would figured out it was him. I guess it didn't help much that 59 out of the 60 choir
10) students
student were staring straight at Mark.
 17
From Passage A:

Match statements 1 to 3 to a particular paragraph in the passage. Write the

paragraph number in the boxes provided. [3]

1. The baby is being placed under observation at the hospital.

12

2. Darko pulled Bingham to where the baby was.

3

3. The baby was discovered by Bingham and Darko. 6

For Questions 4, 5 and 6, choose the most suitable option and write your answer
in the brackets provided. [3]

4. Which of the following words can replace the word “vigilant” (line 4)?
A. lively
B. helpful
C. negligent
D. observant ( D )

5. Who was the second person to arrive at the scene?

A. Claire Miles
B. Jake Bingham
C. Keith Cruz
D. Jyoti More ( C )

6. What about the weather would most likely have caused the baby to die?
A. the cold
B. the heat
C. the wind
D. the lightning ( A )
 18
From Paragraph 1
7. “The stage was set for a modern-day miracle” (line 5)
Explain what this “miracle” was. [1]

The rescue/discovery [1/2] of the newborn baby girl [1/2]

From Paragraph 2
8. Why did Bingham choose to walk his dog, Darko, through the alley that
morning? [1]

He was in a hurry [1/2] and wanted to save time by cutting through the
alley [1/2].

From Paragraph 4
9. Which word in the passage has the same meaning as “crazy”? [1]

The word is “deranged” [1].

10. Why was Bingham reluctant to look into the garbage can at first? [1]

Bingham was initially reluctant because he thought it was a cat or

rodent that had gotten stuck in the garbage can [1].

From Paragraph 5
11. “I had to see what the deal was”. (lines 21-22)
Explain what Bingham wanted to do, and why. [2]

Bingham wanted to check/investigate what was in the garbage can [1]

because he heard a crying noise coming from inside [1].
OR
Bingham wanted to investigate the crying noise [1] that was coming
from inside the garbage can [1].
 19
From Paragraph 6
12. Explain, in your own words, the first thing that Bingham did at the scene.[2]

ORIGINAL PHRASE: “snapped a picture”.

Ans: He took [1] a photograph [1] of the scene.

 20
From Passage B

From Paragraph 7
13. “It’s only a worthless mutt”. (line 22)
What was Chance’s father referring to? [1]

He was referring to the terrier dog. [1]

From Paragraph 8
14. Why did Chance put a noose over the dog’s head? [2]

To prevent the dog from moving its head excessively [1] which may
cause Chance to miss his shot [1].

From Paragraph 11
15. Why do you think Chance handed the rifle toward Jimmy? [1]

Chance wanted Jimmy to shoot the dog instead [1].

OR
Chance did not want to shoot the dog [1].

From Paragraph 13
16. What was Jimmy’s response when Chance asked him to shoot the dog? [2]

Jimmy turned his head [1] and started to walk away [1].

From Paragraph 16
17. In your own words, explain why the boys had “terrible feelings of wrong
doing” (line 45). [2]

ORIGINAL PHRASE: “murdered a living being”

RE-EXPRESSED ANSWER: They had just killed a dog [1]

and felt guilty [1].
 21
From the whole passage
18. Explain in not more than 7 words, the meaning of each word as it is used in
the passage. [3]

a) retorted (line 32): snapped back/replied/responded

b) excessively (line 35): too much

c) awareness (line 40): knowledge/realisation

 22
19. From Passage B - Summary Writing

Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the steps that Chance took in
shooting the terrier dog.

USE ONLY THE MATERIAL FROM PARAGRAPHS 8 TO 14 ONLY.

Your summary, which must be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be
more than 120 words, including the 8 words given below. You must use your own
words as far as possible. [15]

After being told to shoot the dog, Chance

Original Point Re-expressed Point

1) came out of the house with the 22-
calibre rifle.
2) He stopped by the pile of wood,
next to the outhouse.
3) There, he picked up a short rope
that laid on the ground.
4) Chance put a noose over the dog’s
head and
5) proceeded to the river.
6) He loaded the gun without saying
anything.
7) Chance found a small sapling
8) to which he tied the animal.
9) He pulled the rope up tight to the
tree
10) so that the terrier couldn’t move
his head excessively,
11) and cause Chance to miss his
shot.
12) Chance pointed the gun at the
dog’s head.
13) The report of the rifle echoed in
Jimmy’s ears.
retrieved the rifle from the house,
and stopped at the outhouse
to retrieve a short rope which was on
the ground.
Chance then put a noose over the
dog’s head
and walked towards the river.
Chance loaded the gun.
He then found a small sapling
which he tied the dog to.
He pulled the rope tight
to ensure that the terrier couldn’t
move his head too much,
and so that cause Chance would not
miss his shot.
Finally, Chance pointed the rifle at the
terrier’s head
and pulled the trigger/fired the shot.