SKSS Sec 2 English 2024 EOY (Ans key)

[Turn Over MARKING GUIDE SENG KANG SECONDARY SCHOOL END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION ENGLISH LANGUAGE SECONDARY TWO EXPRESS 23 September 2024 Paper 2 Comprehension 1 hour 50 minutes MARKING GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

2 [Turn Over Section A [5 marks] Refer to the infographic (Text 1) and the social media post (Text 2) on pages 2 of the Insert for Questions 1–3. 1 Refer to the main image in the middle of Text 1. How does the image support the statement “When it comes to flu, sharing isn’t caring?” The image shows a man sneezing, while others around him look unhappy/are trying to avoid it.[1] It is trying to tell us that they do not find contracting the flu or virus something pleasant. [1] Do not accept:  Responses that do not describe the image  Responses that only describes the man sneezing Question Type: Image + Inference 2 Quote a sentence in Text 2 that shares a similar idea to Text 1 of “Stop[ping] the spread”. The sentence is ‘This needs to be nipped in the bud’. Do not accept:  Responses that do not quote the full sentence  Responses that have spelling errors Question Type: Quotation 3 Look at Texts 1 and 2 and statements (a) and (b) below.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 purpose of the text is to criticise the lack of hygiene. Text 1 / Text 2 [1] / Both / Neither (b) The text has an informative tone. Text 1 [1] / Text 2 / Both / Neither [1]

3 [Turn Over Section B [20 marks] Refer to Text 3 on pages 3 and 4 of the Insert for Questions 4 –11. 4 (a) In Paragraph 1, the writer says that he is not particularly fond of dogs. Explain how the language used in this paragraph emphasises his dislike of them. Support your ideas with two details from the paragraph. Question type: Language for effect  The phrase ‘(They) drool too much’ suggests that the writer was put off even by common and harmless dog behaviours such as drooling, emphasising his distaste for them.  The phrase ‘(Many of them) have a kind of permanent bad breath’ suggests that the writer finds dog breath very unpleasant/unbearable and a chronic issue with dogs, emphasising his aversion to dogs.  The phrase ‘(they’re) nothing short of a nuisance’ suggests that the writer finds dogs highly annoying/bothersome, emphasising his distaste for them.  The phrase ‘ jumping on you, sniffing you in places you’d rather not be sniffed ’ suggests that the writer finds their behaviour unruly/intrusive/uncontrollable and upsetting, emphasising his aversion to them. Any 2 points for 2 marks. [2] (b) Which phrase in the same paragraph tells us that the writer was surprised by the feelings he came to have for Siri? Question type: Quote Evidence The phrase is ‘(it is) all the more strange’. [1] 5 (a) From Paragraph 2, what traits did Siri possess that were characteristic of a Labrador Retriever? Question type: Literal (i) He had a muscular build. (ii) He loved the water. [2] (b) What was amusing about the way Siri would respond during a game of ball? Question type: Literal He would excitedly start running around the yard at the mere mention of the word ‘ball’, (his response) until someone threw the ball / even before anyone had actually thrown the ball. (what was amusing about it) Both parts are needed for 1 mark. [1]

4 [Turn Over 6 From Paragraph 3, ‘Whenever we’re in Sri Lanka, a stay at Sonali’s place is always a welcome respite from the diesel exhaust and garbage-ridden streets of Colombo.’ (lines 15 – 16) (a) What does the phrase ‘diesel exhaust and garbage -ridden’ suggest about the streets of Colombo? Question type: Inference They were extremely polluted. [1] Not accepted: filthy/dirty (Phrase highlights both air quality and waste management issues. Answers filthy’ or ‘dirty’ are weak alternatives and do not convey the same level of specificity) (b) From the same paragraph, explain what made Sonali's place a ‘welcome respite’ for the writer and his wife. Question type: Evidence + Explanation (i) It was surrounded by nature / natural beauty and wildlife, which offered a chance to relax / unwind / observe wildlife/elephants / connect with nature. [1] (ii) It was located on the outskirts of Colombo, offering an escape from the crowded/busy/chaotic city/streets. Or It sits on a two-acre/large land/property, offering an escape from the crowded/busy/chaotic city/streets. / [1] [2] 7 From Paragraph 4, the old caretaker thinks that something bad may have happened to Siri. Using two pieces of evidence from the same paragraph, explain how the caretaker’s opinion is supported by Tunza’s unusual behaviour. Question type: Evidence + Explanation Evidence Explanation ‘he had been hiding under the picnic table on the verandah for approximately the duration of Siri’s absence’ Tunza would not venture out from under the table (since Siri had gone missing) , suggesting that he did not feel safe. ‘refused to come out even when tempted with his favourite food’ Tunza would not come out even when offered his favourite food, suggesting he was extremely frightened. Not accepted: ‘something had spooked Tunza’ (This is not a behaviour) [2] 8 (a) In Paragraph 5, state one contrast that the writer makes between the behaviour of the geckos, and that of himself and his wife. Question type: Literal The geckos were actively feeding on mosquitoes and other insects while the writer and his wife did not care that their food had gone cold / were picking at their food with their fingers. Or The geckos were making incessant squawking sounds / making a lot of noise while the writer and his wife sat in silence. [1]

5 [Turn Over Not accepted: They had long since lost their appetites (This is not a behaviour). ……………………………………………………………………………………………………... (b) What is the writer trying to emphasise through this contrast? Question type: Language for effect He is trying to emphasise their concern/worry/unease/distress over Siri’s disappearance (by contrasting it with the geckos’ unaffected/natural/ordinary/usual behaviours). [1] 9 In Paragraph 7, the writer describes the search for Siri’s remains, ‘ I climbed the nearest palu tree, where I positioned myself with the binoculars at the best vantage point. With the binoculars, I scanned the vava for any signs of danger. The two of them waded in slowly.’ (lines 44 – 46) Which words or phrases in the given sentences describe t heir cautious approach to the search? Question type: Vocabulary Descriptions Words or phrases from the passage carefully observed ‘scanned’ cautiously stepped into the water ‘waded in slowly’ [2] 10 From Paragraph 8, give two reasons why, according to the writer, Siri was preyed on by the crocodile. Question type: Literal (i) He was not jungle-wise. (ii) He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. [1]

6 [Turn Over 11 The structure of the text reflects the writer’s feelings at different stages of the story. Complete the flow chart below by choosing one word from the box to summarise his feeling at each stage. There are some extra words in the box that you do not need to use. Question type: Global/Synthesis Question The writer’s feeling at each stage nostalgia dread grief frustration confusion concern anticipation [4] Paragraphs 1 - 2: (i) nostalgia Paragraph 3: (ii) anticipation Paragraphs 4 - 6: (iii) dread (x concern) Paragraphs 7 - 8: (iv) grief (x frustration)

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