First Term Examination
Class : SSS 2
Subject : English Language
Duration : 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Name : __________________________________
Section A : Objective Questions
Paper 1 : Structures and Registers.
In each of the following sentences, there is one word or group of words in bold and one gap. From the list of words or group of words lettered A – D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will at the same time, correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
1. The workers expected management to be _________ rather than indifferent to their welfare. (a) different from (b) interested (c) opposed (d) care of in
2. Words spoken in the heat of an argument could offend rather than ____________. (a) pacify (b) amused (c) inspire (d) irrirate
3. Although they have declared the student a suspect, he may turn out to be __________. (a) culpable (b) ignorant (c) safe (d) innocent
4. Some outspoken social critics live a _________ family life. (a) reserved (b) happy (c) boisterous (d) still
5. While the manager was prudent in his expenditure, his deputy was extravagant. (a) miserly (b) careful (c) thoughtful (d) ignorant
6. The cultured and the _________ are known by their conduct. (a) barbaric (b) clean (c) ignorant (d) lazy
7. Many Africans now live in abject poverty instead of enjoying the ________ of their country. (a) comfort (b) greatness (c) affluence (d) possessions
8. Tunde seldom asks questions in class and was __________ very careful when he did. (a) always (b) often (c) rarely (d) usually
Section 2
From the words or group of words lettered a – d, choose the word or group words that best completes each of the following sentences.
9. Tests revealed that the winning athlete had taken performance – enhancing _________. (a) drugs (b) tablets (c) vitamins (d) capsules
10. The lawyer’s client was under oath in the law court. (a) investigated (b) interrogated (c) cross-fired (d) cross-examined
11. That Fulani man has a large ________ of cattle. (a) herd (b) flock (c) multitude (d) swine
12. The relationship between the couple is ___________ for lack of communication. (a) tense (b) strained (c) relaxed (d) uneasy
13. Many players have complained about biased __________ by referees. (a) officiating (b) control (c) direction (d) handling
14. Government officials have to swear to _________ of secrecy. (a) an oath (b) a vow (c) a pledge (d) an act
15. The students __________ the planned meeting with the new principal. (a) refused (b) rejected (c) boycotted (d) neglected
16. She won by ___________ because her appointed refused to play. (a) defeat (b) default (c) defiance (d) defence
17. Some candidates have developed the __________ for cheating in examinations. (a) instinct (b) addiction (c) knack (d) habit
18. The secretary was _________ from her job for absenteeism. (a) dismissed (b) evicted (c) rejected (d) eliminated
Alter each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
19. Peter was on tenter hooks until the examination results were announced. This means that Peter was ______________. (a) unhappy about the examination (b) suspended from school (c) in anxiously waiting for the results (d) detained by the police
20. The military leader blazed the trail by handing over power to civilians. This means that the leader __________. (a) resigned from the army (b) supported civilian ideals (c) was against in the army (d) set an example
21. Life is all about “give and take”. This means that _____________________________ (a) people should be willing to compromise (b) life gives and takes (c) life is about gins (d) any gift should be accepted
22. Jumai’s life was in danger but now she has turned the corner. This means that Jumai ____________. (a) has given up hope of recovery (b) has worsened her situation (c) is recovering (d) has died
Paper 2 : English Language
Instruction : Answer one question from this section. Your writing should be at least not less than 450 words.
1. Your sister wants to marry a man from another ethnic group against your mother’s wish. Write a letter to your mother giving at least three reasons why she should accept your sister’s decision.
2. Nigeria à is witnessing a rapid rise in population of her people. Write an article in any local newspaper on how the government and people can control this and the effects on the economy if not checked.
3. There has been a public outcry on the escalating prices of foodstuffs in your area. Write a letter to your representative in the House of Assembly, stating the causes of the increase and suggesting ways of improving the situation.
4. As the governor of your class, write a Scientific report on any experiment you participated in any Science Class.
5. Your school’s Literary and Debating Society has organized a debate on the topic: “Should female circumcision be abolished in Nigeria”. Write your contribution for or against the topic.
Section B : Comprehension
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follows.
The great white shark is at the top of the marine food chain. In the shark family, it is the king, it will eat anything, even other sharks. But as it gets older, bigger and slower, it develops a preference for seals, penguins and carrion, especially dead whales. In locating their food, most shark use all their senses, including excellent vision. Their sense of smell is incredible and their ears are aided by pressure sensitive cells along each side of their body. Nothing escapes this eavesdropping system, which is attuned to vibrations in the water. Sharks also have a sixth sense which enables them to detect the weak electrical fields emanating from the beating heart or the swimming muscles of a potential prey.
The white shark’s most fearsome assets are its huge head, it’s black eyes, and it’s razor-sharp, serrated teeth. The circulatory system of the white shark is different from that of most other sharks. It’s blood temperature is about three to five degrees Celsius above water temperature; this speeds up digestion and adds to its strength and endurance.
It is known that the white shark spits out it’s wounded prey after an initial, powerful bite. Then it waits for the victim to die before eating it. Why does it use this bite-and-spit strategy? Experts speculate that this is because of its eyes. Unlike other sharks, the white shark has no eyelid-like membrane to protect its eyes, rather, it rotates them in their sockets when a collision is imminent. At the moment of impact, the eye is left exposed, perhaps to the flaying claws of a seal. Therefore, for the white shark, a quick mortal strike and release is common behavior.
The public image of sharks has been greatly colored by the novel Jaws which was turned into a popular movie.
Overnight the white shark became evil incarnate. However, it is not a demon craving human flesh. The smell of blood does not drive it into a feeding frenzy as it does certain other sharks.
Nevertheless, it is a dangerous animal that should be treated with caution and respect.
(a) How do sharks used their sixth sense?
(b) In what significant way is the circulatory system of the white shark different from that of other sharks?
(c) What according to the passage, is the probable reason why the white shark waits for its victim to die before eating it?
(d) i. What is the writer’s attitude to the white shark?
(d) ii. Quote an expression from the passage to support your answer.
(e) “At the moment of impact”
(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?
(ii) What is its function?
(f) “However, it is not a demon craving human flesh.” What figure of speech is contained in this expression?
(g) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage :
(i) preference
(ii) incredible
(iii) emanating
(iv) speculate
(v) mortal
(vi) coloured
Section C : Summary
Read the following passage carefully and answer questions on it.