NCHS Upper Sec EL Comprehension Language Use Question Types Practice (ANS).docx - Google Docs

Answer Scheme A Language Use [25 m] The text below tells of a man’s dining experience in an institution. Jacques is carrying a tray with a single dish covered by one of those old fashioned silver domes. He balances the tray with one hand and grasps the lid of the dome with the other. He gives a faint smile then quickly takes away the lid theatrically .(AES Prelim 2018) 1) In Paragraph 2, the writer suggests that Jacques is an experienced waiter . Pick out and write down two expressions from the paragraph and explain how they show his experience .[2] ‘ Balances the tray with one hand’ shows that he is able to make sure the tray does not slip off his hand , suggesting that he is skilled/skilful/professional in serving customers [1]. ‘Takes away the lid theatrically ’ shows that he intentionally tried to be dramatic with his action , suggesting that he knows how to entertain guests with the way he presents/serves them with their food [1]. [2 ] I pick up the silver spoon and turn it over. Just as I once did, as a young boy, I lean forward with my ear towards the dish and tap the back of the spoon against the hard surface three times. My heart soars as the sound resonates with the sound of my childhood. Tears well in my eyes with memories of my dear mama in Provence. I shatter the surface and dip into the undulating waves of sun coloured cream then slip the spoon into my mouth. Velvet smoothness glides past slivers of crisp caramel . The whispers of vanilla echoes in my mouth. The chef is a god: a crème brûlée of perfect proportions. I wish it could last forever but nothing can. In the end, I place the spoon down. That, I say, is the finest dessert I have ever had. Excellent, Jacques says and takes away the empty plate and spoon. (AES Prelim 2018) 2) The writer describes his experience of eating the crème brûlée dessert. Explain how the language in Paragraph 4 makes the dessert appealing . Support your ideas with three details from Paragraph 4.[3] ‘ Undulating waves of sun coloured cream’ emphasises the wavy appearance and bright colour of the cream , suggesting that the dessert looks pretty [1]. ‘ Velvet smoothness (glides past)’ emphasises that the dessert is very creamy / has a very consistent/even texture , suggesting that the dessert tastes good [1]. ‘Slivers of crisp caramel’ emphasises the crunchiness of the caramel / emphasises that the caramel is very crunchy , suggesting that the caramel is tasty [1]. ‘ Whispers of vanilla’ shows that the vanilla flavour is mild/light , suggesting that the taste is pleasant [1]. (Any three of the above answers are acceptable.) [3 ] Page 1

In the text below, the writer describes his experience in Antarctica. When this imperfect shelter was nearly finished, they made a day trip to collect their emperor penguin eggs. Reaching the sea ice from this direction, which no one had ever done before, turned out to require descending a 200-foot cliff. The climb was the most harrowing technical mountaineering any of them had ever attempted , and they undertook it in the dark . They managed it, though getting back up the cliff almost defeated them . Cherry-Garrard, climbing blindly, smashed both of the penguin eggs entrusted to him. With a final effort, they made it back to Igloo Spur with three eggs still intact. The next day they completed the rock hut and erected the Scott tent right outside its doorway, in the lee of the shelter. Three weeks after setting out, everything was arranged more or less according to their plan. Then a big wind hit. (ACSBR MYE 2018) 3) At the beginning of this text, the writer describes the climb to be extremely challenging . Explain how the language used in paragraph 1 emphasises its difficulty . Support your ideas with three details from paragraph 1.[3] ‘Most harrowing technical mountaineering (any of them had ever attempted) suggests that climbing the mountain requires a lot of skill/techniques , showing that the climb is very demanding . (1) X extremely scary (must be talking about the technical aspect of the climb) ‘Undertook it in the dark ’ suggests that visibility was very poor , and hence it was extremely hard to see properly . ‘The cliff almost defeated them’ suggests that the climb was so dangerous that they were close to death / almost could not manage to climb the cliff . (Answers need to have both evidence and explanation.) [3 ] The text below describes how a girl travelled to another country to take up college place. As she walked through the revolving doors of the airport, she took a deep breath, and set her foot in the country that would be her home, a foreign home, for the next few years. But just as she did so, the gears in her mind instinctively clicked as it drew an imaginary line of escape. Beyond those doors, taxi drivers lined the road, a voracious glint in their eyes as they stood in wait to pounce on each target that walked out . They were soon hot on her trails , pestering her, each trying vociferously to persuade her . Skillfully, she engineered her way around them and headed straight for the bus stop which she had spotted from afar.(DSS MYE 2019) 4) In paragraph 5, the taxi drivers are described as predators . Explain how the language used in paragraph 1 emphasises this quality. Support your answer with three details from the paragraph.[3] [3 ] Page 2

‘ Voracious glint in their eyes’ suggests that the taxi drivers were very eager / extremely enthusiastic in looking for passengers , similar to how a predator would be hunt for prey . [1] Voracious: engaging in an activity with great eagerness or enthusiasm . Not accepted: - Looking intently/attentively (It is not about the focus given) - Looked at them fiercely/maliciously/in an evil manner (Inaccurate) ‘ Stood in wait to pounce on each target that walked out’ suggests that they were ready to very quickly approach each potential passenger the moment they appeared, similar to how a predator would get ready to attack its prey . [1] Not accepted: - Ready to catch the attention (Inaccurate degree) ‘ Hot on her trails’ suggests that they chased/pursued her very closely , similar to how a predator would chase after its prey . [1] Not accepted: - They were stalking her (Inaccurate) - Rushed towards her once she was spotted (Addresses only the initial moment but not the whole process) ‘Trying vociferously to persuade her’ suggests that they were very persistent/aggressive/forceful in trying to get her to take their taxi , similar to how a predator would be aggressive with its prey. Not accepted: - Loudly asking her to board their taxi (not just loud, but forceful too) (Any 3) Not accepted: “drew an imaginary line of escape” (Phrase refers to Anna and not the taxi drivers) The text below describes the aftermath of an atomic bomb that was dropped on Japan. The Omuros in question were an old family, said to date back to the Edo period, and the present head was a man of many talents, dabbling in calligraphy, painting and art-collecting. I had visited the house myself several times during the past year. It had been an imposing mansion , with a splendid old-style garden