2023 RVS EL Prelims P2 Ans

1 RIVERSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2023 SECONDARY 4 EXPRESS (1184) PAPER 2 MARK SCHEME Section A [5 marks] Refer to the online advertisement (Text 1) and an online blog post (Text 2) on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 1–4. 1 Look at the image and words in the advertisement. Tick (√) the statement that is most accurate in conveying the writer’s main message about pet abandonment. Many animals are abandoned every year. √ Many animals that are abandoned will die. [1] The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) can only take in a limited number of animals. N.B.: The tombstone in the image is linked to the idea of ‘put to sleep’ in the paragraph. 2 Look at the heading EVERY 60 MINUTES, A PET IS ABANDONED. What is the intended effect of the heading on the reader? The reader would feel shocked/ surprised the reader by the sheer number of pets being abandoned/ high rate of pet abandonment. [1] 3 Identify the phrase in Text 2 which illustrates the ‘tragic fate’ stated in Text 1. (animals are) left to die a slow, lonely painful death [1]

2 4 Look at Texts 1 and 2 and statements (a) and (b) below. Decide whether the statements refer to Text 1, Text 2, both texts, or neither text. Circle the answer you have chosen for each statement. (a) The target audience is pet owners. Text 1 / Text 2 / Both / Neither [1] (b) The tone suggests the writer dislikes pet owners who abandoned their pets. Text 1 / Text 2 / Both / Neither [1]

3 Section B [20 marks] Refer to Text 3 on pages 3–4 of the Insert for Questions 5–14. 5 Explain what the following words in Paragraph 1 suggest about the writer’s views towards his job. (i) ‘toiled away’ (line 2) His job was tiring/ requires hard work or a lot of effort/ draining/ laborious. [1] (ii) ‘monotony’ (line 3) His job was boring/ mundane/ repetitive/ dull. [1] 6 From Paragraph 2, give two details which show that the desert was filled with emptiness. (i) (cast adrif in the) barren wilderness (of Arizona) [1] (ii) far from civilisation [1] 7 The writer ‘swallowed hard’. (line 12) What does this description suggest about how the writer felt at that moment? He felt fearful/ intimidated/ nervous/ worried/ anxious. [1] 8 In Paragraph 3, the writer describes his experience in the desert. Explain how the language used in this paragraph makes the writer appear to be at the brink of death. Support your answer with two details from Paragraph 3. ‘(Yet here I was,) a withered cactus (in the unrelenting heat)’ suggests that the writer was dehydrated/ had a heat stroke and bordering death. [1] ‘My flesh and body which felt like they were fading away’ suggests that the writer felt like his boding was weakening / highlights how physically weak the writer felt such that he was losing strength. [1] 9 In Paragraph 3, which word suggests that the writer was careful of his next steps? ‘scrutinised’ [1]

4 10 From Paragraph 4, give two examples of the weak physical state of the writer while he climbed the rock. (i) His muscles strained. [1] (ii) His legs trembled. [1] 11 From Paragraph 5, how does the writer emphasise his vulnerability in the harsh desert environment? He attributed human characteristics to the wind / personified the wind ( by using expressions such as ‘offered no solace’ and ‘mocking’ to show that the writer was at the mercy of the wind). [1] 12 (a) In Paragraph 6, the writer tells us that ‘the oasis morphed before my eyes, revealing its true nature’ (lines 36-37). What does the ‘true nature’ refer to? The place was void of greenery and water/ just a barren land. [1] (b) ‘The desert was going to becom e my prison.’ (line s 38-39) What does this description suggest about the writer’s thought about his fate? He thought he was going to die/ trapped in the desert forever. [1] 13 At the end of the text, t he writer describes his experience at the desert as ‘beautiful punishing’ (line 46-47). (a) Explain how this description is supported with reference to two pieces of evidence from Paragraph 7. ‘I realised that the true oasis was not a physical place, but the love and connection we shared.’ shows that the writer has acquired a new understanding or perspective about life. [1] ‘I was ready to surrend er my mind and body to the merciless desert’ shows that his experience in the desert was challenging or demanding. [1] (b) Why is this description effective? It emphasises the great impact that this experience has had on him/ that he has learnt important lessons through the hardships in the desert. [1]

5 14 The structure of the text reflects the different stages of the writer’s journey in the Arizona desert. Complete the flow chart by choosing one phrase from the box to summarise the stage of the writer’s journey in each part of the text . There are extra phrases in the box you do not need to use. Stages of the writer’s journey a sense of attachment taking a respite determined to seek salvation renewed hope and attitude chasing a dream not knowing what to do crushed with disappointment Flow chart Paragraphs 1–2: (i) not knowing what to do [1] Paragraph 3: (ii) determined to seek salvation [1] Paragraphs 4–6: (iii) crushed with disappointment [1] Paragraph 7: (iv) renewed hope and attitude [4]

6 Section C [25 marks] Refer to Text 4 on pages 5–6 of the Insert for Questions 15–21. 15 In Paragraph 1, why does the writer refer to extreme sports as ‘an unfathomable indulgence’ (line 1)? Ordinary people find it difficult to understand or relate to the level of commitment and fearlessness required from extreme sports participants who pursue their passions without restraint, to achieve instant gratification. [1] 16 With reference to Paragraph 2, w hich two words suggest the writer finds that extreme sports participants worry too much? ‘agonising’ and ‘obsessively’. [1] 17 In Paragraph 3, the writer says ‘It is mind -boggling how there seems to be an endless supply of individuals who are just dying to climb towering peaks or fling themselves off them’ (lines 16-17). What is the writer’s tone when he makes this comment? Mocking/ Incredulous. [1] 18 What were the effects of ‘turning extreme sports into a multi -billion-dollar global industry’ (lines 17-18)? Answer in your own words. There is an increase in number of tourists/ visitors and employment opportunities. [1] Destinations have more advanced/ improved facilities (to meet the needs of extreme sports enthusiasts). [1] Lifted from text: This has boosted tourism and created jobs . Destinations for extreme sports have also witnessed more developed amenities (to satisfy the desires of extreme sports enthusiasts).

7 19 Here is part of a conversation between two students, Jonas and Carrie, who have read the article. (a) Give one piece of evidence from Paragraph 2 that Jonas can use to support his view. Both demand dedication, practice, and a commitment to improving one's performance. [1] (Do not accept if student only refers to extreme sports or conventional sports, and not both.) (b) With reference to Paragraph 3, give two pieces of evidence to support Carrie’s opinion. (i) Extreme sports often take place in non-traditional environments that are inherently challenging. [1] (ii) Extreme sports require highly specialised skills. [1] (Accepted: ‘These extreme terrains can include mountains, cliffs, oceans and deserts which require highly specialised skills to surmount.’) 20 In Paragraph 7, the writer uses the quote ‘Live as if you