- Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.
As we stand, the HIV/Aids pandemic is on the rampage; ravaging the young and the old alike. It is time for people to decide for themselves what is good and what is not. And the earlier they do this 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 lifestyle 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 should shun him or her. This pressure often takes the form of making those who choose to abstain from pre-marital or illicit sex inadequate.
Avoiding idleness is equally important. The wise say 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, baking 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 counsellors 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 attitudes and behaviour. And it is a 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 recipient’s health issues.
Moreover, places of worship must pitch in with their contributions. They are in an excellent position of imparting the correct moral values to their adherents. Besides, they can provide social and religious activities that will build the youth up spiritually and mentally.
Finally, it is incumbent upon the government to put in place legislation governing what the 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.
Questions
a)Why is there need to make a decision soon?
b)Rewrite the following sentence in the past:
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
c)What is pornography and how do you think it influences one’s behavior.
d) Rewrite the following sentence in indirect speech
They should pause and ask themselves, “Do I hope to become better after reading this?”
e)Which words does the author use to show displeasure with some kinds of films and music?
f)What sort of friend does the author appear to recommend?
g)In note from, give evidence to show that every member of society has role to play in enhancing morality.
h)Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the passage.
i)beckoning alluringly
ii)adherents
iii)incumbent upon
iv) onslaught
Date posted: November 7, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following comprehension and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following comprehension and answer the questions that follow.
Over the years man has cultivated to exhaustion the better soils in the plains. This has led to
progressive destruction of land to the point where some of the steeper hill slopes are cultivated so
that widespread erosion has been initiated. Meanwhile, the livestock are continuously being forced on to smaller areas of poorer land and further up the hill slopes where they have to compete with foresters. As a result the quantities of animal proteins, so necessary to human health, have steadily declined. Surprisingly, instead of accepting the responsibility for all his destruction, man blames livestock and in particular the goat.
Man has repeatedly failed to do anything to restore the fertility of the soils he has ravaged. After the last miserable crop has been harvested the land has been left to weeds. No attempt has been made to plant grass or to under plant the last agricultural crop with fodder species. Had this been done rehabilitation would have been quicker and sure and erosion would have been reduced. Thus the gradually worsening situation would be arrested.
If man would shoulder the responsibility for his own greedy misuse of the land, the goat could easily carry the blame for its own much smaller share in this degradation. Unfortunately, because human nature is what it is, man will find something to blame for his won carelessness. The goat has been chosen to carry this blame largely because it is often the last animal to be seen wresting a precarious living from the areas where man has done his worst and from which cattle and sheep have long since been forced to move.
Conservation of land depends on proper planning. Livestock numbers therefore, irrespective of species, should be strictly limited to a density which will permit pasture renewal instead of causing its degeneration. This adjustment of numbers should help man to have a balanced mixture of livestock.
Many writers in recent years have tried to show that there has been considerable improvement in mountain grazing areas after the banishment of the goat. Most, however, fail to indicate to what extent this has been due solely to the removal of the goat or to a reduction in other livestock densities or other measures such as erosion control, terracing, the building of gabions and grass plan planting. It is essential to ensure that results which are obtained in one environment are not automatically applied to different one. (Adapted from observation on the goat)
(a) According to paragraph one of the passage, who has man used as a scapegoat?
(b) In paragraph two, what two words show that land has not been very productive.
(c) Why has the quantities of animal proteins necessary to human health declined?
(d) Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions given.
(i) Unfortunately, because human nature is what it is, man will find something to blame for his own carelessness.
(Begin: The author stated that ......)
(ii) Thus, the gradually worsening situation would be arrested.
(Add a question tag).
(e) What could have been done to ensure quicker rehabilitation and reduce erosion.
(f) What other words could be used in place of those given without changing the meaning.
(i) Initiated
(ii) Miserable
(iii) Degradation
(iv) Banishment
(g) Rewrite in the active voice.
(i) The goat has been chosen for this blame.
(ii) Livestock are continually being forced onto poorer areas.
(h) How would you sum up the author’s argument in 1 or 2 sentences?
Date posted: November 6, 2019. Answers (1)
- Use the words in the brackets in the correct order to complete the sentence below.
Kanyari gave Betty a ______________________________ for her birthday. (jacket, big,...(Solved)
Use the words in the brackets in the correct order to complete the sentence below.
Kanyari gave Betty a ______________________________ for her birthday. (jacket, big, black,
cotton, old)
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Punctuate the following sentence to give two different meanings.
My father said Tom is a born politician.(Solved)
Punctuate the following sentence to give two different meanings.
My father said Tom is a born politician.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Choose the correct alternative from the brackets to fill in the blank spaces.
1. Regrettably, ______________________ understand that only ___________________ can lead at a time. (a...(Solved)
Choose the correct alternative from the brackets to fill in the blank spaces.
1. Regrettably, ______________________ understand that only ___________________ can lead at a time. (a few / few)
2. Although _______________________ oil was discovered it was of __________________ use. (a little / little)
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Complete the following sentences with a phrasal verb formed from the word in brackets.
1. Kanyari ____________________ his grandfather, when you see him it is...(Solved)
Complete the following sentences with a phrasal verb formed from the word in brackets.
1. Kanyari ____________________ his grandfather, when you see him it is like you have seen her.(take)
2. The leaders are not sure how the congregation will react to the change, and so they keep
________________________ the announcement of their decision. (put)
3. They ___________________ the plan perfectly. (pull)
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Complete the sentences below using the correct option from those given in brackets.
1. We _______________________ to have construction work start in January. (intent/intend)
2. When...(Solved)
Complete the sentences below using the correct option from those given in brackets.
1. We _______________________ to have construction work start in January. (intent/intend)
2. When their children were grown up, Kahiga and his wife __________________ (adapted/adopted) a son.
3. This school has been chosen as the centre of _____________________ in the county. (excellency/excellence)
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- 1. Kanyari is not as handsome as Situma. (Rewrite using than)2. Had it not been for...(Solved)
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions after each.
1. Kanyari is not as handsome as Situma. (Rewrite using than)
2. Had it not been for my daughter's prompt action, I would be dead by now. (Begin: But……..)
3. The road has been graded. (Finish ………….road)
4. Peter told me that his sister is successful. (Use 'of' in place of 'that')
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Because
Just because I smile and smile
And happiness is not my coat
And my song tuneful and strong
Though you...(Solved)
Because
Just because I smile and smile
And happiness is not my coat
And my song tuneful and strong
Though you send me down below
Into unlievable regions
Of the blue rocks of the earth
You think then I am a gatepost
Numb to the stab of pain
Just because of the laugh of my lips
And my eyes covered in respect
Pants rolled up above the knees
And my dark hair all down dun-coloured
And thick with the road side dust,
My hands swinging a pick
And the back stripped out of my shirt.
You think I'm like a stone
And don't know what it is to die
Because at the fall of dark
When I've loosened the chains
Of my long day's labour
And I fall in with my brother,
Stamping the ground in a tribal dance
And we sing songs of old times
That stir up our fighting blood
Driving away all our cares
For that you think I'm a beast
That breeds its kind and dies
Because I seem to you simpleton
Knocked over by plain ignorance
And laws beyond my understanding
Except may be you rob me
And the house built for myself
Under the hand of a rock
A hut of grass for my home
My clothing an empty sack
You think I'm just an ant heap
And not one tear have I in me
To drip out from my own heart
And run over the pure hands
Of souls who see all.
I. Who is the persona in the poem? Illustrate.
ii. What basic necessities does he lack?
iii. Identify two aspects of imagery used and show their appropriateness.
iv. Briefly discuss the main theme of the poem.
v. Explain the tone of the poem.
vi. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem
a) And I fall in with my brother
b. Because I seem to you simpleton.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Even though tattoos are sometimes associated with rebellion, they have longstanding history amongcommunities around the world....(Solved)
Read that passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Even though tattoos are sometimes associated with rebellion, they have longstanding history among
communities around the world. Tahitians, for instance used tattoos as a permanent way of preserving their
culture and to show social ranking. Early Christians, on the other hand, often had the sign of a cross tattooed on their bodies, particularly their faces and arms, representing a permanent mark of the believer's faith.
The word 'tattoo' is derived from a Tahitian word tatau that means to mark. Tatau has been suggested to be the onomatopoeic sound tap, tap, tap made by the tapping of a tattoo instrument as it works on skin while 'au' is associated with the cry of pain a person gives when being tattooed.
The first ever tattoo to be found on a human being was found on a mummified iceman in 3,300BC with 58
tattoos on his body, which contained lines and dots. This is nothing, however, compared to Scottish Tom
Leopard, recorded as the world's most tattooed person, with 99.9 per cent of his body covered in leopard
skin design. Guinness world records record that the only part of his body that remained untattoed is the skin between his toes and inside of his ears.
When receiving a tattoo, the skin is pierced between 50 to 3,000 times per minute by a needle in the tattoo machine. Most tattoo machines consists of four parts: the needle, the tube that holds the ink, an electric motor, and a foot pedal that controls the movement ; almost similar to how a sewing machine works.
Sterilization and disposable materials are crucial to tattooing because tattoos are created by thousands of puncture marks to the skin, each of which could be infected. The autoclave is a safe popular way to sterilize any tattoo equipment that is not disposable. A combination of heat, steam and pressure kills all bacterial and organisms to prevent infection.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, tattoos were dangerous to have. European 'head hunters' caused a
terror by collecting tattooed Maori heads. As the odd sport became popular, more Moaris were murdered to
meet the demand. In the time, slaves began being tattooed so that their heads could be cut off and sold.
Luckily, however, Christian missionaries in the cook Island condemned the practice of tattooing quoting
the Bible “… do not cut your bodies for the dead or put marks on yourself….” They tried to stamp out the
custom going as far as trying to remove tattoos by rubbing the skin with sandstone in a practice that was
known as ' holy stoning'. This was the primitive forerunner to modern tattoo removal known as
dermabrasion, where the skin is 'sanded' to remove layers. Dermabrasion has now largely given way to
laser surgery as a popular means of tattoo removal.
While tattoos bring colour to humanity, research has shown that unclean tattooing practices can transmit
diseases such as hepatitis B. Some pigments used in tattoos contain metals that can cause pain during a
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test, or even affect the resulting MRI image. Because of the possible
negative effects tattoos pose to humans, those keen on getting one have to be very careful before they get
one. That said, it is important to note that presently, many tattoo artists earn a good living out of the art.
(a) From paragraph one, state two historical uses of tattoos.
(b) According to the writer state the origin of the word tattoo.
c) What is most striking about Tom Leopard.
(d) What was the risk associated with tattooing in the 18th and 19th centuries.
(e) State two modern ways of tattoo removal.
(f) Many tattoo artists earn a good living out of the art. (Add a question tag)
(g) In note form state the negative effects of tattooing.
(h) What are the benefits of tattooing as suggested in the passage?
(i) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage
Mummified
Sterilize
Pigments
Earn a good living
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Victor Kanyari works as specialist for an IT firm based in Mombasa. A vacancy has been
occasioned by the resignation of the Sales and Marketing Manager....(Solved)
Victor Kanyari works as specialist for an IT firm based in Mombasa. A vacancy has been
occasioned by the resignation of the Sales and Marketing Manager. Since he has been one of the
longest-serving sales representatives in the company, Victor has been short listed and is invited to
appear before a panel comprising three members of the board, one of whom is the chair.
Read the conversation below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
VICTOR: (Walks in with a broad smile on his face) Good morning everyone.
CHAIR: (Looking up from his papers) Oh! Please give us a moment, we will invite you in.
VICTOR: That is Okay. (He walks out. A few minutes later, he is invited in and takes a seat.)
CHAIR: Welcome Victor for this interview. These are members of the board of directors. On my
immediate left is Mr. Nimrod Taabu. On my right is Mr. David Cameron and I am Mr. John
Njuguna.
VICTOR: Oh yes! Of course I know all of you. I have worked with this company for the last two decades.
DAVID: What is your name?
VICTOR: I am the famous Kanyari, Senior sales Representative, Eastern Region.
CHAIR: Is that your official name?
VICTOR: Eh!.. Not really, it's Victor Kanyari.
NIMROD: Why do you want to be the head of our sales and marketing department?
VICTOR: Well, (Looking sideways) Surely, I have worked here longest. I have had a close working
relationship with the out-going Sales and Marketing Manager. In fact, I have been his most
trusted lieutenant. I always hit my targets and this makes our profits grow considerably.
DAVID: Hillary's performance was superb. Indeed it was exemplary. How do you intend to better than him?
VICTOR: I promise to perfectly fit in his shoes- Hilary I mean.
NIMROD: What special talents, skills and qualities will you bring to the job of the sales and marketing
manager?
VICTOR: I have experience. I promise to bring to the position lots of experience. This is vital in an
organization of this nature and size.
DAVID: Having worked with this company for a very long duration of time, tell us your most challenging
moment in this organization and how you handled it.
VICTOR: The resignation of Hilary. It will take us a while before we recover.
CHAIR: Thank you Victor. We promise to communicate our decision in two weeks' time.
VICTOR: Thanks. I hope you will give me a fair chance to make a difference.
Do you think VICTOR got the job? Explain your answer.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- You are a member of a religious movement in your school. Your school has invited other schools to
a rally to sensitize young people on the...(Solved)
You are a member of a religious movement in your school. Your school has invited other schools to
a rally to sensitize young people on the “Dangers of Pre-marital Sex”. You have been invited as the
guest speaker of the day.
1. Identify any FOUR considerations you will have to make before you take up the task.
2. Identify and illustrate any three ways in which you would introduce your speech.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Briefly explain the message you would communicate by using the following non-verbal cues.
1. A weak hand shake
2. A bear hug
3. A peck on...(Solved)
Briefly explain the message you would communicate by using the following non-verbal cues.
1. A weak hand shake
2. A bear hug
3. A peck on the cheek
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Identify by underlining the silent vowel sounds in the following words.
1. Parliament
2. Factory
3. Given
4. Reduce
5. Attention.(Solved)
Identify by underlining the silent vowel sounds in the following words.
1. Parliament
2. Factory
3. Given
4. Reduce
5. Attention.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- The maskWe wear the mask that grins and liesIt hides our cheeks and shades...(Solved)
Read the following poem carefully and then answer the questions that follow:
The mask
We wear the mask that grins and lies
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us while
We smile, but O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile
But let the world dream otherwise
(Paul Lawrence Dunbar).
QUESTIONS
1. Describe the Rhyme Scheme of the above poem.
2. Identify ANY other sound patterns used in the poem. What is their effect?
3. If you were reciting this poem to an audience how would you perform the last line.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- The setting of a story ________ to the time and place where the story takes place....(Solved)
Fill in the following gaps with the most appropriate word
The setting of a story ________ to the time and place where the story takes place. The setting may shift
from one place to _________________________as the story progresses and end somewhere else, or it
might move elsewhere and come back to the _____________________________ place, hence completing
a full circle. Sometimes the setting _________________ be static (no change. Time is also important for
the setting. This could be told in the story, or could be ____________________________ by the events in
the of the story. For example ,if the story ______________________around a modern setting, with modern
buildings and technological devices, this alludes to the time of setting-i.e. the recent past.
__________________________ if the show grass-thatched huts as dwelling places of the character, this
could be an indication that either the setting is in the____________________________ of the rural areas
,or the story was written was some time __________________________the past
It is important to _____________________________ the setting of a story as this helps us to understand
the theme, the behavior and attitudes of the characters in the story better.
Date posted: October 31, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the narrative below and then answer the questions that follow. A greedy Old Man and the Sausage. Once upon a time, there lived an...(Solved)
3. ORAL SKILLS
(a) Read the narrative below and then answer the questions that follow.
A greedy Old Man and the Sausage
Once upon a time, there lived an old man. One day he paid a visit to his in-laws. On entering the house of his mother-in-law, he found that she had been roasting some meat, among which was delicious looking sausage and she was not in the house. He immediately took the sausage and quickly shoved it into his quiver. And it so happened that a piece of live coal had got stuck on the sausage but the old man didn’t know. He quickly shut the quiver.
No sooner had he sat down than the owner of the house came in. They sat down to talk about the children’s health. When they had finished, it was time for the old man to return to his home. Just then, the woman noticed smoke issuing from the quiver and asked the old man; “Paker, how come the quiver is smoking? The man answered, “Oh. It’s some naughty fire stick with a soft head that smokes whenever it comes into contact with soft wood and the arrows.” The woman kept quiet and got up to escort her guest.
When they had walked only a short distance, the fire made a hole in the quiver and the arrows fell out, tak! together with the stolen sausage. The lady, who was walking closely behind, exclaimed: ‘see, had I not known it! Then the old man fearing that his sausage might be eaten shouted, “Oh, my Paker, Please do not do it!”
So while the lady ran home in shame, the greedy old man continued with his journey in extreme embarrassment. They showed each other their backs and there ends the story.
Questions
i) State three things a narrator would do to draw the audience’s attention at the beginning of the story (3mks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
ii) Describe how a narrator would perform line 4-6 of the second paragraph (2mks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
iii) Explain four ways in which audience can indicate active listening in the performance of this narrative (4mks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
iv) Apart from using the ending formula, how else would a narrator signal to the audience the ending of his story? (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
3b. For each of the following words, identify the silent letter (5mks)
(i) Satchet
(ii) Tomb
(iii) Married
(iv) Mortgage
(v) Champagne
3c. Pick the odd word out based on the pronunciation of the underlined vowel sounds
(4mks)
(i) Cup, bury, hut cut
(ii) Pail, paper, patron, patter
(iii) Cold, corn, cohort, convoke
(iv) Brook, broom, brood, boot
3d. You have been summoned to the Discipline Teacher’s Office. You are in possession of a bag that was reportedly missing. Complete the gaps in the following conversation.
Discipline Teacher (knock!) Yes, come in, Good morning
Me…………………………………………………………………… (1mk)
Discipline teacher: Are you innocent Kibaya?
Me…………………………………………………………………….. (1mk)
Discipline teacher: Tell me about this missing bag.
Me…………………………………………………………………….. (2mks)
Discipline teacher: Do you have any substantial proof?
Me……………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………… (2mks)
Discipline teacher: Okey Innocent, I find your explanation convincing.
I feel it was a case of mistaken identity.
Me…………………………………………………………………….. (1mk)
3e. You are giving verbal directions to a stranger in your estate. What are the main parts to consider? (4mks)
Date posted: October 29, 2019. Answers (1)
- Fill in each of the following spaces in the passage below with the most appropriate word. The donkey has always been looked on...(Solved)
2. CLOZE TEST (10 MARKS)
Fill in each of the following spaces in the passage below with the most appropriate word.
The donkey has always been looked on (1)__________________ the less impressive cousin of the horse. It (2) __________________ rather silly with its big, floppy (3) _________________ and short, sturdy legs. It also makes an unbecoming loud braying (4) _________________________ probably (5) ____________________ of its appearance and bray. It is always (6)_______________________ in folk tales as a silly creature.
Yes, donkeys that live (7) ____________________ the wilderness are fine looking and well built creatures. They are sociable and (8) _______________________ an average life span longer than (9)______________________ of horses . Wild donkeys can (10) ________________ even faster than horses.
Date posted: October 29, 2019. Answers (1)
- You are a member of the Wild Life Club in your school, a sponsor has requested you to sent him an email...(Solved)
1. FUNCTIONAL SKILLS (20 MARKS)
You are a member of the Wild Life Club in your school, a sponsor has requested you to sent
him an email including minutes of a meeting in which you requested for assistance to plant
trees in the school compound.
Date posted: October 29, 2019. Answers (1)
- Lilly loves leaking lolly pops like a little lad lying like a lilly in a lake.
i) Identify the above genre
ii) Explain the features...(Solved)
Lilly loves leaking lolly pops like a little lad lying like a lilly in a lake.
i) Identify the above genre
ii) Explain the features characteristic of the genre
iii)What are the functions of the above genre?
Date posted: October 29, 2019. Answers (1)