CXC English A exam: Past paper type reading comprehension questions 2
1. Read the following extract carefully and then answer all the questions set on it.
Pita panicked. There was nothing he could do. He was trapped. Trapped with hundreds of others. The monster had come and was slowly, surely dragging them from the deep. He swam through the excited crowd to try the bottom. Then he tried the top again. The great monster had encircled them completely. There were millions of holes in its great hands, but none large enough. If only they were a little larger. Pita tried to push himself through one of the holes again. He squeezed and squeezed. Great tails lashed around him. Not only he but against his eyes. If only his head could get through. He pushed again, hard, and the pain quivered through his body.
There was nothing he could do. He heard the breakers roaring above now. That meant they were nearing the shore. Pita whipped his tail in fury. The monster was gradually closing its hands. There were cries now above the surface. Below, the monster grated on sand. The shore! They had reached the shore! Frantically, Pita flung himself against one of the tiny holes. He gave a cry as the scales tore from his back - then a cry of joy. He was free! Free!
He lunged forward below the surface. Down he sped, rejoicing in his tinyness. If he was only a little bigger, he would have been dying on the shore now. The fateful shore! There had been those who had actually come back from that world. This was one of the great mysteries. But some said they had been there, and had talked of that awesome place.
There was no more blood now. Down he swam. Deep, deep until the sound of the breakers was only a bitter memory, and the sea was not sandy but blue and clear, and until, far, far away in the distance, green with fern and the tender moss, he saw the rocks of home.
You can find the original question here.
2. Read the following poem carefully and and answer the questions which follow it.
'Twill rot yu' teet'! (line 3) and Study yu' book! (line 11) (ii)What effect is the writer trying to create by using them? (3 marks)
(i)Tinkly (line 4)
She'll see beneath the silver wrapper
Beneath the flashy football boots ... (lines 21 - 22) tell us about the young girl?
Total 14 marks
a) Why was Leonard feeling a flicker of restlessness (line 2)? (2 marks)
b) What does the phrase get it over with (line 12) tell us about Leonard's reaction to the idea of the trip into town? (2 marks)
c) How did Leonard decide to avoid his parents? (2 marks)
d) How did Leonard's parents feel about his chosen lifestyle? (2 marks)
e) What was Grandma Miriam's ambition for her children? (1 mark)
f) What does the last sentence suggest about Grandma Miriam's' reaction to the lifestyle of Grandpa Sam? (2 marks)
Total: 11 marks
You can find the original question here
4. Read the following poem carefully and then answer the questions set on it.
The hawk slipped out of the pine, and rose in the sunlit air:
(a) Briefly state what happens in the poem. (2 marks)
(b) What does the following tell you about the bird? she cowered with furtive stare... (2 marks)
(c) Explain what is meant by ;the quivering dimness. (2 marks)
(d) Comment on the poet's use of each of the following:
(e) Name one sense to which this poem appeals and quote a word or phrase in support of your choice. (2 marks)
(f) Identify a figure of speech and comment on its effectiveness. (2 marks)
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i hate English
I would love to be a batter English student
Can anyone help me out with questions "d" and "f" in the 3rd passage?
I WILL LOVE TO BE APART OF A ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUP THANK YOU
I love English
it was so easy after all
yes it was easy after all 2 c wat it was like
i want to be apart of the study group;
You know the first story isn't hard at all. When i read through the questions including the answers i saw how easy is was. The story also reminded me of a event just like that in
i will love to learn more in eglish. i really want to better myself.
i really wan 2 no mor abt persuasive assay
i want to be a part of this study group
me too especially for maths
i would love to do the online study
love this sub
this is 1 of the best sub ever...Thanks to mrs Jual
going to bussup english A tomorrow right yall!!!
im sitting the exam tomorrow and i should say i am feeling positive going for the distinction!
i'm going to do english cxc 2marrow n i really hope i do my best
i did principles of accounts today but it was not that hard but there was some difficulty in paper 2
what type of questins come on acoounts papers and did u get thru other wise with paper 1
I want to past English Language. I have a problem with writing short stories.
You make those question seems so easy how did u do it?
Can u help me 2 do it also?
(@)You did? That would be remarkable . How?
i found the way you answered these question very interesting