COMMONLY KCSE TESTED

ENGLISH QUESTIONS

500+ PREDICTION QUESTIONS

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 SECTION A
{ENGLISH PAPER 1}
COMMONLY KCSE TESTED QUESTIONS
FUNCTIONAL WRITING
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 FUNCTIONAL WRITING -20 MARKS

1. Imagine that you have completed secondary education. You have come across an advertisement in
one of the daily newspaper that required clerical officers. The email address of the Company is
uhurukazi@[Link]. You are interested in the job. Write one page curriculum vitae (C.V)
using the e-mail address of the company

2. You are the Secretary of your School’s Drama club. Your club is holding its second meeting of
the year to discuss the following issues:-
(i) Tour to Nairobi
(ii) Awareness campaign
(iii) Strengthening of drama in the school
Two people have sent their apologies and a member from the writer’s club has also attended the
meeting. Write the minutes you could take at the meeting

3. Imagine you are the managing directors of Alroki industries Eldoret. You manufacture padlocks and
of late, there has been a lot of bad press concerning your products. Write an internal memorandum to
your operations manger and sales and marketing manager. Advise them on what should be done to
counter the bad press and also recapture and retain your market share.

4. You have finished reading the play An Enemy of the people by Henric Ibsen and you
would like to recommend it to your classmates. In about 350 words, write the book review

5. You are the principal of Baraka Teachers Training College and one of your graduates Mr.
Christopher Lipwoni has applied for employment as a teacher at Lirhanda boarding primary
school. The head teacher of that primary school has send you an email requesting you to avail
more information about Mr. Christopher Lipwoni to enable the school decide whether to employ
him or not. In the space provided below, write a sample report that you intend to email to the head
teacher. Remember to copy the report to the DEO Kakamega East District

6. Imagine that you have been put in charge of a farewell party for your classmates. Write a recipe for
the meal you would prepare for the occasion.

7. Imagine that you are the library captain in your school. Write a memo to the class prefects asking
them to ensure that students observe the library rules, especially regarding silence, prompt return of
books, appropriate dressing and observing opening and closing time.

8. You are invited to give a speech on the role of the youth in fostering peace in your country by a
friend overseas. You are unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances. E-mail your speech to your
friend to present it on your behalf.

9. You are revising with your friend over the April holiday. On reaching school in May, you realize that
one of your books, Top Mark English is missing. Write a fax to your friend in a
neighbouring school requesting for the book he had borrowed from you

10. You have just read a novel entitled The Modern Girl by a famous writer. You want to recommend
it to a friend who has asked you to briefly tell him why you found the text interesting. Write with
appropriate sub headings, a review of the text convincing your friend to read it.

11. Imagine you live in Mumias, an average town in Western Kenya. The National Music
PSE
 Festivals are set to be held in this town for five days. Your friend who lives in Webuye town
intends to come over.
a) Give them clear directions to Nabongo cultural centre in Mumias town. Make your instructions
as precise (one page) and clear as possible – you could use land marks, well known means of
transport, show distance in kilometers e.t.c.

12. Imagine you are the school captain, and the CDF committee wishes to set up a project in
your school. The principal has asked you to organize with the prefects to collect students
views on the most appropriate project. Write an internal memo to the concerned prefects.20mks)

13. Imagine that you have done K.C.S.E exams, qualified and done some training in a professional
course. You have seen an advertisement in “Sunday mirage” Newspaper of a position you qualify
for. You then decide to apply for it. Write your Own curriculum vitae (C.V)

14. Write a letter to the clerk of your local council complaining about the loud music in the bars
where you live. Indicate how residents spend sleepless nights due to the loud music, and
what you think should be done

15. You have been selected to deliver a speech on Parent’s day on behalf of other students. Apart
from teachers, parents and students, there are several guests present as well as members of
Board of Governors. You are expected to highlight the challenges facing students population in
the school. Write the speech you would deliver. (20 mks)

16. An Italian friend who had come to visit you left for his country a few weeks ago. He writes to
inform you of his safe arrival and requests you for a recipe that would help him prepare ugali for his
two friends. Write him through this address; Mckay@[Link]

17. The lions football team has won the just completed world cup competition. You are the coach.
Write a memo congratulating them and informing them on when/how to collect their tokens.
Remember to have copies to the minister of sports. (20mks)

PSE
 CLOZE TEST QUESTIONS
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 CLOZE TEXT
1. Fill in each of the blank spaces in the passage below with the most appropriate answer
One of the challenges…………………..(1)the country today is youth unemployment.
Related to this is lack of patriotism and a sense of……………………(2). A number of
interventions have been rolled to tackle……………………….(3)challenges that youth issues are
so……………………….(4),they deserve a ministry, not just a ………………….(5).
Among the notable programmes by the ministry was the creation………………………(6). Youth
fund, whose objective is to…………………….(7)money to youth people to venture into
business. ………………….…..(8) it is too early to assess its impact, the intention was noble.
Following this,…………………………...(9) government now wants to re-introduce a company
paramilitary training programme for school leavers…………….………..(10) the National Youth
Service.

2. Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word
Different types of oral literature can have (1) __________________, if not identical,
functions. One can use stories, riddles and proverbs, among other kinds of oral literature, to express
(2) ___________________. It is (3) ________________________true to say that one type of oral
literature may have many different (4) ____________________. For example a work song that (5)
________________people to pull together in their efforts may also be sung as entertainment for
children, or as a political weapon when people are competing in parliamentary elections. It is (6)
________________important that when one is collecting a song, one must also find out for what
purpose it is being sung.
(7) ________________________the text of the song is important, its context must (8)
_____________________be well known. The interest of the song is greatly enhanced and it is given
(9) ___________proper character by the (10) _______________in which it is sung.

3. Fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word.

Every year, we look (1)…………..…… to Christmas as a time for festivity and family get
together. The jovial atmosphere that surrounds the season lifts our spirits. Families make last
minute (2)…………..…… to the supermarkets to buy gifts to loved ones (3)…………..…….., we
forget that January is coming with (4)……………..……….challenges. The sooner you
(5)……………….…..… planning, the better. This will help you avoid going (6)
……………………....…….. in your expenditure. Most people take this time to (7)
……………………... their upcoming home, creating transport (8) ……………………….. all
over. A reunion of relatives is always the joy of charismas so to say. To some, it is just the onset of
misery. This is because they don’t have anything to (9)….…………………….. The last week of the year
to them is always injury time. Either they do not have anything to give or they are worried over
(10).…………….……. and its responsibilities.

4. Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word
I do not support abortion. But there are cases of incest (1) ………. Rape where(2)
…..…should be given a chance to choose whether to live with the child or not. My position
is informed (3) ……….. the Christian faith that I profess. The Bible (4) ………states that
thou shall not kill.
Of course there may be a scenario in which a doctor is faced with a (5) ………. where a
mother’s life is in danger and the only way to save her life is to abort the (6) …..…………… It is
unfortunate that nobody wants to address that issue directly. (7) …………………………….. my
personal view is that doctors and experts should have the leeway to make professional judgements. There
are hard (8) ………….…………to be made like in the event of (9)….……… risk of losing life, does the
doctor save the foetus or the mother or let both to die?
 When does life begin then? According to churches, life begins at conception. And when
does it end? Is it when one is put on a life support machine or when a doctor
(10)……….……………one dead? There is need to be pragmatic on this issue of abortion.
5. Fill in each of the blank space in the passage below with the most appropriate word. *
(1) ..............the deliberations began yesterday, it was evident that the climate of suspicion
and (2)................... blood still reigned. The M.P’s and (3) ................ of their political parties
must acknowledge cardinal principal (4) ....................making accusation and issuing threats.
They are deliberating on the (5).................. of Kenya.
They were (6) .............. by the people of Kenya to sit in the August House to (7)..........
the people. They must remember that they are not discussing a constitution for themselves or any other.
They are not (8) ............. a constitution for president Kibaki or Prime Minister Raila Odinga or any
other individual (9) .......... may be having (10)......... for high office.

6. This may not be such a drab year after all (1) ……some good may yet be reported in
the education sector following Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) decision to (2)
……….KCSE examination candidates online.
Registering all candidates (3)........….is one way towards making the registration
process efficient and accountable. (4) ……….. this does not mean scrapping the time tested
manual method, it is surely a (5) ........…. in the right direction.
Also it is but one of (6) ……...……………reforms being undertaken in education matters
to reduce time school managers, students and parents expend ahead of national examinations.
It would also significantly reduce (7) ……of Academies registering weak students
(8)……..other examination centers and make it easier for candidates to (9) ………. the status of
their registration and (10).....……..perennial complaints of non-registration

7. Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the appropriate word.
Garbage, garbage and more garbage; easy to generate but difficult to (1)_______
of. But if we stopped complaining about its chocking (2)_____ for even one minute, we
would realise that there is (3)______ that we can do about it – perhaps even earn a living
(4) _______ it.
There are women groups that have been making and selling high (5)______
manure from domestic waste such as potato and banana peels. In so doing they create
employment for (6)_______ and those who collect the garbage for them. The manure is
said to be so ______ that it causes crops to yield three times as much as other
types of manure ________ fertilizers. This boosts our agricultural sector (9)________.
In a country like Britain, waste paper can now be eaten. It is softened and sweetened
(10) ___a certain technology then fed to cows. Such cows are said to produce creamier milk.

8: Fill each of the blank spaces in the passage below with the most appropriate word.
The decision (1)……….....information ministers (2)…………...single out the Media (3) ……….
what is clearly an intrusive audit of (4) ………..performance prior to , (5) ……... , and after
the highly problematic December 2007 election should not come as a surprise.
(6)…………..has come as a surprise. (7) …...……...…..the somewhat muted response from the
media fraternity. From a lot that is usually vocal in the (8) ……….. of its rights (9) ............… both real
and imaginary foes, the silence is (10) ………..….frightening than government’s seemingly single
minded determination to gag the media.

9. Read the passage below and fill in each space with an appropriate word
We say that all children are born equal. (1) _____, apparently, not in Kenya where the
National primary school results (2) ____yesterday again display the superior performance of
private schools students compared to their counterparts in the public school system.
This is (3) ______worrying trend. We are building an unequal education system where the
wealthy can literally buy success.
 Those children (4) _______parents have the means will attend private schools where they
stand better prospects of good primary school results, and thus have a head start in the competition
for (5) _______to the best secondary schools, and intimately the best chance at coveted university places.
The children whose parents are not wealthy will have to (6) _______ with inferior
education from the word go. They will be (7) ______by the education system, and ultimately
condemned to lesser professional and employment prospects.
That is not the way to build a society where all have an equal chance (8) ______making it
in life.
This problem with the education system has been evident for some time. It has been
studied by academics and by task (9) ____and has been the subject of numerous reports. It is
evident however, that the government has never taken it seriously enough to take any (10)
____action.

10: There are (1)……… people who have never known the real value of ironing clothes
before use. These people find ironing a (2)……. activity in the house and it continues daily
without anybody ever giving it much thought. By wearing clothes (3)……. are well ironed, we look
smart. There is definitely a great (4)…… between clothes that are not ironed and those that are well
ironed. Ironing is one of the most important activities as (5)…… as promotion of personal hygiene is
concerned. When clothes are hung (6)…………… To dry, they are exposed to insects which could lay
eggs or leave poisons that are (7)……….…. To us. Ironing protects us (8)………. some diseases.
(9)………… Clothes are not ironed before wearing, we are likely to (10)………. From various skin
problems such as skin rashes and irritations.

11. Fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word (10mks)
Although (1) _____President and prime minister effectively (2) _____ a ceasefire
(3) ______they (4)______on the telephone (5) _________ Wednesday night and asked
their lieutenants to cease hostility 6relationship may not b e out of the woods (7) _________.
The President (8) ______Prime Minister differed when Raila (9)_______ the suspension
of (10)___William Ruto of Agriculture and Sam Ongeri of Education a week ago.
(Adapted from The Standard Newspaper)

12. Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word. *
The (1)………………… common way for germs to spread from one person to another or
from animals to people is (2) ………………………… drinking water.
Drinking water from a tap is not possible for everybody (3) ……………………………..
wells and springs can be kept clean. Wells need a fence around them to prevent animals from
falling (4) ………………………….. People might not notice that there was a dead animal in the
well. Then it would rot and every one would become (5) ………………………………… from
the eater. (6) …………………………….. can put germs into springs and water-holes with their
feet and tongues if they drink from them. Springs and water-holes need a (7) ………………...
around them too. Best of all, drinking water sources should be covered and water taken
(8) …………… with a pump. People must not use the grass or brushes near a source of
drinking water as (9) ……………………… The (10) ……………………………. can easily be
washed into the water by the rain.

13. Elephants are entirely vegetarian. They may ______up to 300kg a day, which is hundred
______as much as a human being would consume. _____diet is varied since they are both
browsers and grazers. When there are too many elephants in a ____, they eat so much food that
_______there are no more leaves on the trees and bushes. They even resort to eating the bark of
 ______trees; and this kills the trees completely. Then there ______only the grass to eat, so the
elephants eat that leaving the soil _____. Strong winds and heavy rains quickly wash ____ the
good soil. The resulting ______impoverishes the soil so that no more plants will grow.

14. The US vice-president, Joe _____(1) was recently in the country yet for some reasons his
visit ____(2) elicited much excitement. No traditional dancers at the airport or the ‘we love you
Biden!’ screams (3) just irritation. It makes one ______(4) why heads of states insist ___ (5) sending envoys
at great _____ (6) to tax payers to deliver messages to foreign leaders. That probably made lots of
sense in the dark day ____(7) communication was the forte of the village drummer. ______ (8) in this age
of _____(9), twitter, face book and the mobile phone, and emissary who _____ (10) a whole city into a
dizzy spin just to deliver ___(11)message sounds crazy.

15. Fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word (10mks)
Although (1) _____President and prime minister effectively (2) _____ a ceasefire
(3) ______they (4)______on the telephone (5) _________ Wednesday night and asked
their lieutenants to cease hostility 6relationship may not b e out of the woods (7) _________.
The President (8) ______Prime Minister differed when Raila (9)_______ the suspension
of (10)___William Ruto of Agriculture and Sam Ongeri of Education a week ago.
(Adapted from The Standard Newspaper)

16. Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word.
The (1)……… common way for germs to spread from one person to another or from
animals to people is (2) ………drinking water. Drinking water from a tap is not possible for
everybody (3) ……. wells and springs can be kept clean. Wells need a fence around them to
prevent animals from falling (4) ………People might not notice that there was a dead animal
in the well. Then it would rot and every one would become (5) …… from the eater. (6) ………. can
put germs into springs and water-holes with their feet and tongues if they drink from them. Springs and
water-holes need a (7) ……... around them too. Best of all, drinking water sources should be covered
and water taken (8) …………… with a pump. People must not use the grass or bushes near a source of
drinking water as (9) ……… The (10) ………. can easily be washed into the water by the rain.

17. The US vice-president, Joe ____(1) was recently in the country yet for some reasons his visit
____(2) elicited much excitement. No traditional dancers at the airport or the ‘we love you Biden!’
screams (3) just irritation. It makes one ____(4) why heads of states insist ____ (5) sending envoys at
great _______ (6) to tax payers to deliver messages to foreign leaders. That probably made lots of
sense in the dark day _____(7) communication was the forte of the village drummer. ____ (8) in this age of
____(9), twitter, face book and the mobile phone, and emissary who ____ (10) a whole city into a dizzy
spin just to deliver ______(11)message sounds crazy.
 ORAL SKILLS QUESTIONS
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 ORAL SKILLS
1. THE MAGNIFICIENT BULL
My bull is white like the silver fish in the river
White like the shimmering crane bird on the river bank
White like fresh milk.
His roar is like thunder to the Turkish cannon
On the steep shore.

My bull is dark like the rain cloud in the storm.

He is like summer and winter.
Half of him is dark like the storm cloud,
Half of him is light like sunshine.

His back shines like the morning star.

His brow is red like the beak of the hornbill.
His fore head is like a flag, calling the people from a distance,
He resembles the rainbow.

I. The singer achieves rhythm in the song above through repetition of words i.e. “white like”
like e.t.c.
Identification
Illustration
II. If you are to do a live performance of this song how would you make it more
interesting to the audience?
b) Underline the silent letter in each of the following words (5mks)
i) Rendezvous
ii) Eulogy
iii) Tourism
iv) Condemn
v) Phlegm
c) Read the genre below, and then answer questions that follow:-
“Willy warmly welcomed Wendy and wondered why Wyatt walked wearingly while whistling.‟
i) Classify the above genre.
ii) Identify and illustrate one sound pattern from the genre
iii) State any one function of the above genre
d) You school is participating in a debate and the motion is: “Parents should let children
decide their own destiny,” How would you ensure that your argument convincing? *KC*
e) Imagine that you are listening to a telephone conversation between a receptionist and a lady
whose child is very ill and she is seeking her physicians‟ help. Unfortunately, Dr. Kemboi is
not in, but the receptionist is on the line. In the blank spaces, fill in what you think the
receptionist should have said to the lady.

2. (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 a
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
PSE
 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, tiak! 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 eat 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 my story.

(i) State two things a narrator would do to draw the audience‟s attention to the beginning of
t he story
(ii) Describe how a narrator would perform line 4-6 of the second paragraph
(iii) Explain three ways in which the audience can indicate active listening in the performance
of this narrative
(iv) Apart from using the ending formula, how else would a narrator signal to the audience
the ending of his story?

3. Read the following oral poem and answer the questions that follow:-
Where is she eee
Where is she ee
We want to pamper her
We want to pamper her x2

We advise you, we advise you

When you get there respect your husband
When he calls you, respond to his call
So that your marriage can last

Both of you may live in peace

Both of you may live in peace x2

(i) List down what is lost when the above song is written down
(ii) The above song is a translation from Kiswahili to English. What has been lost in the
translation?

(c) (i) Underline the stressed syllable in the correct pronunciation of the following words
(The dots indicate syllable boundaries)
(i) res. pect
(ii) re. view
(iii) in. ves. ti. gate
(iv) [Link]
(v) cal. cu. late
(vi) di. vi. de (noun)

(ii) Provide another word with a similar pronunciation for each of the following words
(i) Feet
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 (ii) Alter
(iii) Ale
(iv) Cereal
(v) None
(vi) Ate
(d) (i) Explain three things you would do if you were unexpectedly asked to give a short speech
During the form four farewell party
(ii) You are giving this speech without a public address system. How do you ensure you are
heard clearly by everybody

4. i) Read the oral narrative and answer the questions asked.

THE MAN WHO LIVED WITH THE TRIBE OF HIS WIFE
There was a man, it is said, who lived with the ethnic group of his wife. One day he said to
his wife, “We are moving away-tell your people.” So she told her people and they gave him the
customary gifts and returned to him a part of his bride wealth.
Then this man who had been living with his wife‟s ethnic group moved away with his
family and his wife, and after he had walked all day he set up a camp in a certain place. Then he
said to his wife, “woman, there is a matter I have to discuss with the people whom we left, and I am
going back to them. Pen the animals and wait for me.”

So he went back, and when he reached the village in the evening he sat down in the
clearing by the huts, intending to eavesdrop. The people were gossiping about and someone said,
“well, let us all give our opinion of that who stayed with our tribe for such a long time!”

“He was a good man.” said one.

“By God, he was a brave man.”
“By God, he was a generous man.”
“By God, he looked after the animals well.”
“By God, he had some knowledge of men.”

The whole village praised him, and all the time the man was listening. There was pause, and
then a young girl spoke, “but I know something about him that was bad!”
“What was it?” the people asked.
“He didn‟t go far away enough from the huts when he urinated!” at this the whole
village burst in to laughter, but the eavesdropper was so angry that he stood up said to them,
“well, by God, I have moved far enough away now!” to the great astonishment of the whole
village.

a) How would you performs the narrative in order to capture the audience attention
b) (i) In which tone would the eavesdropper say last line of the narrative
ii) Underline the word in which the vowel sound is different in the following sets of words :
a) ship, sheep, sleep
b) Pull, pool, book
c) Bark, park, buck
d) Might, height, mice
e) Barn, ban, bag
iii) State whether the stress would fall on the first or second syllable on the word in
bold by underlining:
a) I don‟t like associating with that rebel
b) Waiyaki had a lot of respect for the elders
PSE
 c) We manage to turn the businesses
d) When can you contact me?
e) You can access a lot of information in the internet
iv) What would you consider important in giving someone directions especially to a
place that is difficult to trace?
v) What preparation would you do before attending an interview for a job?

5. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:-
ESCAPE FROM THE CITY
I seek a quiet country life
Without the city‟s bursting strife
I seek the sight of trees ablaze
Instead of streets that form amaze
Barbara Klinger

i) Identify two sound patterns in this poem and state their effectiveness
a) i) rhyme Life Ablaze Strife Amaze
ii) Which words in the poem contain dipthongs?
iii) How could you say the first line of this poem and why?
iv) Describe the rhyme scheme of the poem above
b) In each of the following groups of words, one of the underlined is different from the rest.
Identify the word with the different sound:-
i) purse further fury nurse
ii) three thick theme these
iii) have fame rake fate
iv) heir honest honoraria harbour
v) committee constitution command commodity

c) Read the item below and answer the questions that follow:-
If freaky Fred found fifty feet of fresh fruit and fed forty feet to his friend Frank,
how many feet of fresh fruit did freeky Fred find?
i) Classify the oral item above
ii) Identify two characteristics of this genre
iii) State four functions of this genre

d) Explain the meaning of the following idiomatic expressions :-

i) They were taught by the word of mouth
ii) The guest of honour asked us to lend him our ears
iii) Politicians must now walk the talk
iv) Daisy has the gift of the gab

e) You are a TV presenter with “Duond Joka Nyanam” station. You have been assigned the
duty to interview an important and famous writer in the name of Ngugi Wa Thiong’o.
How would you prepare yourself for an effective session with a view to producing a good
programme?

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6. a) Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow:-
SWEET AND LOW
Sweet and low, sweet and low,
Wind of the western sea,
Low, low, breath and blow,
Wind of the western sea!
Over the rolling waters go,
Come from the dying moon, and blow,
Blow him again to me;
While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps.

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest,

Father will come to thee soon;
Rest, rest on mother‟s breast;
Father will come to thee soon;
Father will come to his babe n the nest,
Silver sails all out of the west
Under the silver moon;
Sleep my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep.
Alfred lord Tennyson.

(i) State any two pairs of rhyming words from the above poem
(ii) Apart from rhyme, with illustrations from the poem, identify any other two techniques
that have been used by the poet to create rhythm in this poem
(iii) If you were to classify the above poem as a song, in which category would you
place it and why?
(iv) Comment on the number of syllables used in the last line of each stanza.
What does this tell you about the rhythm of this poem?
(v) If you were to recite this poem to its target audience, how would recite the last
line of the last stanza?
(vi) From the poem, identify any two words containing the vowel sound //

b) Underline the silent letters in the following words

i) Subtle
ii) Comb
iii) White
iv) Hymn
v) Clinton

c) Rewrite the following sentences identifying the stressed syllable in the underlined
words ( use stress marks)
i) Drug abuse is so rampant in coast province
ii) The alarm clock rang on time
iii) Can I have your contact, please
iv) We were forced to desert our fertile land and now, here we are in a total desert

d) Carefully study the following conversation and then answer the questions that follow:-.
Juma : I am so happy! (Jumps up) we finally did it! Four powerful sweet goals!
Solomon: No doubt about that victory! Chelsea…..
Collins :(interrupting) shut up your pointed beak! Its Chelsea not Chelesea! Simply stated;
the blues.
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 Solomon: Accept my apology. I didn‟t mean to offend anyone. For your information Collins,
Man City isn‟t my team. Notwithstanding, the fact remains that Manchester city outran
and outfoxed your team. I saw the match myself.
Juma: Hold your peace, boy. Are you not aware of the adage that goes: he who fights the truth,
fights against God! Chelsea can beat any other team in the English premier league but not
Manchester City: that‟s the truth, period.
Collins : Sure? Come to think of it, have you ever stopped to wonder why all the beautiful women
in this present world and probably the one that will come, prefer to associate with Chelsea
players and fans rather than those of man city? Still wondering? Answer is obvious: Man
city players are not only short and ugly but also daft morons!
Juma: To be honest, you could be saying the truth as far as your captain‟s snatching of Wayne
bridges girl friend is concerned. However, don‟t you think it‟s a show case of immorality,
for a married man like him to engage in an extra-marital affair?
Catherine: Guys, let‟s end the entire talk. Why can‟t we talk about AFC Leopards, Sofa Paka,
and Western Stima! Isn‟t there any football being played in Kenya?
Solomon: True
Catherine: What I…..mean is, who in England talks about Western Stima? Anyway, thanks
for your company! (Walks away)

i) Identify and illustrate any two features demonstrated by Collins which indicate lack of
courtesy while conversing with others
ii) From the above dialogue, identify any two features of a healthy conversation
iii) With relevant illustrations from the above dialogue state any two features that characterize
natural speech

7. a) Read the genre below and answer the questions that follow:-
“How high up has he heaved his heavy hoe?”
i) Identify the genre above
ii) For what purpose would the above genre be used
iii) Cite one feature of oral skills used in the above genre
iv) Mention two characteristics of the above genre

b) Give another word that has the same pronunciation as the words below
i) Profit
ii) Mete
iii) Pull
iv) Dough
v) Key

c) Imagine that Ngugi Wa Thion‟go, the author of the novel „The River Between‟ has
been invited by the English department to give a lecture on the key themes and aspects
of style evident in the novel, in a week‟s time. As one of the students of literature
preparing to offer him audience, what steps would you take just before and during
the presentation to ensure that you benefit fully from the event.

d) Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:-
I stood and stared, the sky was lit
The sky was stars all over it
I stood. I knew not why
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 Without a wish, without a will
I stood upon the silent hill
My eyes were blind with stars still
I stared into the sky

i) Show how the poet has effectively created rhythm in this poem?
ii) What word would you stress in line 5 and why?
iii) Explain two ways in which you would make the recitation of the first three lines
of the poem effective

e) Read the conversation below and then answer the questions after it.
Hawa : Hallo, is that Thatu‟s Girl‟s school?
Peter : Yes, what is your name?
Hawa : Hawa Mukova
Peter : What do you want?
Hawa : May I speak to the head teacher?
Peter : He went to do shopping for his family. What did you want to tell him?
Hawa : Sorry it is confidential. May I speak to the deputy?
Peter : He is attending a pre-wedding in fact he is never in school
Hawa : Oh! I will call later
Peter : It‟s okay
i) Identify four instances of lack of telephone conversation etiquette
ii) Write corrections using correct telephone etiquette
iii) Underline the silent letter in the following words
a) Eulogy
b) Phlegm

8. (a) For each of the following words, provide another similar pronunciation.
(i) Site …
(ii) Owe
(iii) Rite
(iv) Road
(v) Blew
(b) A resource person has been invited to your school to talk on the newly introduced play
An Enemy of the People by Henrick Ibsen. What five things would you do to ensure you
benefit maximumly from this talk?
(c) Using each of the words given below, construct two sentences to bring out two different
meanings.
A. (i) Import
(ii) Import.
(iii) Produce.
(iv) Produce
d) Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:-
THANK THE MOTHER
I thank thee mother
Your back I wet
When I leaked
like a broken gourd,

Your breast I sought

like a blind bat,
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 On your back
I swung like a little vagabond
but you said
„It‟s my vagabond.‟

(i) Who is the persona?

(ii) On the line „Like a broken gourd.‟ Which words would you stress? Why?
(iii) How is rhythm achieved in the poem? Illustrate.

(e) Read the story below and answer the questions that follow:-
There lived two men who were good friends. One of them was very wise and the other
very foolish. One day, they argued between themselves, and one said, “I am the wisest man in
this country.” The other said, “No,! I am the wisest.” As there was no way of measuring
wisdom, the two men did not know who was wiser than the other.
One day they were discussing the ill-behaviour of their wives and one of them said,
“If we want them to behave well we must beat them up. Women are like children, beat them
up and they will behave well.”
The other said, “No ! if you beat your wife, she will become worse.” After arguing for
a long time, they kept quiet and went home. On reaching his house, the man who was in
favour of beating wives began to beat an ox-skin vigorously. When the other heard this, he
thought the sound came from his friend beating his wife and he took a stick and beat his wife
severely until she fell sick and later died.
When the two men met later, it was now clear who between them was wiser than the other.
(Adopted from: The Hyena and The Rock by B.M.
Lusweti: Nairobi: The Macmillan Press Ltd. 1992)

(i) Suppose you are the one narrating this story, what would you do first before narration to
capture the attention of the audience?
(ii) How would you deliver the speech by the 2nd speaker? “No ! I am the wisest.”
(iii) If you are listening to this story, what would you expect the story teller to do so as to
make the story interesting?

(f) The following is a conversation between an Admission’s teacher and Juma, a Form One
seeking admission to Elimu Secondary School. Study it and complete the blank spaces
appropriately.
Juma : ……………………………………………………………………………
Teacher : Good morning young man, how are you?
Juma :
Teacher : Welcome to Elimu Secondary School and have a seat.
Juma : Thank you, Madam.
Teacher :
Juma : I‟m Hassan Juma Masumbuko.
Teacher : I have verified your documents and therefore allowed you to join the classroom next
door as our first Form One student this year, congratulations.
Juma :

9. Read the story below and answer the questions that follow:-

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 THE CRUEL STEP-MOTHER
Once upon a time, there was a man and wife who had a baby girl. Unfortunately, the wife
died and so, the man married again. He got another girl with the second wife. The two girls
became extremely close; so close that whenever the mother sent one on an errand, the other was sure
to accompany her. The mother, however, did not like the child of the deceased. She would always
show her dislike by denying her certain favours. Her feelings became so bad that she decided to get rid
of the girl.
To do this, she dug a hole in her bedroom on a day when the husband was absent and
covered the hole with a cow‟s hide. She then called her daughter and sent her to the house of a
friend some kilometers away. As usual, the two girls wanted to go together but the woman
refused, giving the excuse that she wanted to send the other one elsewhere. After the departure of
her daughter, she tailed the other girl and sent her for her snuffbox in the bedroom. Unaware of
what lay ahead, the girl eagerly rushed into the room only to fall into a hole! The mother very
quickly filled the hole with soil, completely disregarding the girl‟s screams for help.
When the daughter came back, she merely assumed that the absence of her dear companion
was justified. After hours of waiting, she, however, became impatient and questioned the mother.
„Where is my sister?‟ she asked
“But she followed you. As soon as she did what I wanted, she ran after you. Now stop
bothering me” the mother retorted.
Time passed and the now anxious girl went round calling out the name of the other one, but
all in vain. Alas …she cried the whole night and the next day and refused to touch any food. The father
helped in the search but to no avail.
After three days, the girl still cried and called the other one. She then heard a very weak voice
responding in song:
Maalya Maalya
Maalya Maalya
Na mwenvu niwe mwai iiee malya
Ekwinza muthiko iiee malya
Wakwisa kunthika iiee malya
Maalya Maalya
(And your mother is the wise one iiee malya
She dug a grave iiee malya
For interring me in iiee malya)
The girl dashed towards the direction of the voice, repeated her cries and again got the
same response. She came to the conclusion that whoever was responding was definitely
underground somewhere in the house. Immediately the father came that day (before the arrival of
the mother), she told him what had happened. After hearing the song, the father dug up the place and
pulled out an extremely weak and disfigured daughter. All the three wailed and eventually, the father
gave her a mixture of blood and milk from a goat to drink after which she vomited all the soil she had
eaten. He gave her some more of the mixture after which he hid her.
When the wife eventually came back, the man did not let her get into the house but sent her
for a cow in a far off place. He explained his action by telling her that he had decided to host a feast for
relatives (including his in-laws). In the meantime, he sent-for all of them. When the woman came back
with the cow, she found everyone waiting for her. Uneasy now, she sat down in the place she was
shown by her husband. He then stood up and after welcoming all, reminded them of the lost daughter.
He then called upon the wife to explain the circumstance leading to the sad episode. She hauntingly
repeated the now commonly know story. When she sat down, the husband told this woman‟s daughter to
repeat her earlier wails after which all heard;
Maalya Maalya
Maalya Maalya
Na mwenvu niwe mwai iiee malya
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 Ekwinza muthiko iiee malya
Wakwisa kunthika iiee malya
All were surprised to hear the words of the other girl‟s song and at that moment; the „dead‟
girl joined them. The woman was as though paralyzed by shock. The husband then explained the
truth of the matter and told his in-laws to take their daughter with them. They said that if that was
what she had done to the girl, they couldn‟t have such a monster in their house. The woman was
disowned by all and chased away.

(a) How would you say the following opening formula “Once upon a time”?
(b) If you were performing this story what oral skills would you use?
(c) As a story teller, how would you deliver the two songs to portray the different contexts?
(d) If you were one of the relatives invited by the girl‟s father, how would you portray
your reaction towards the revelation of the step-mother‟s behaviour?
(e) What intonation would you use at the end of this statement and why?
“Now stop bothering me”

PART B
(a) Shem showed Sila‟s shining shoes shamelessly on Sheba‟s shore.
(i) Classify the above genre
(ii) Identify the dominant aspect of style in the above genre and illustrate your answer
with a brief explanation
(iii) State any three functions of the genre identified in (i) above

(b) Mr. Angwech of Shangilia mixed secondary school asked his class to decide on which set of text
books in their syllabus they should perform for the rest of the school. She asked Noreen to lead the
discussion. Read their discussion below and then answer the questions that follow:-
Mr. Angwech : Noreen, would you lead the discussion?
Noreen: Aha, Ok. The question is: What play should we pick for our class play? Does
anyone have suggestions? Kabonyi?
Kabonyi: I suggest we do „An Enemy of the People‟.
Tom: How about „Shreds of Tenderness?‟
Noreen: No. I dislike „Shreds of Tenderness‟
Lilian: I love „The River Between‟.
Kabonyi: No way! That will make a stupid play! Let‟s do „An Enemy of The People.‟
Noreen: Peter?
Peter: I have never watched „Shreds of Tenderness‟ but…
Peris: It‟s a superb play.
Noreen: Peris, Please let Peter finish then it will be your turn
Peris: Sorry.
Peter: Anyway, I have seen a play on „An enemy of the People‟ but I have watched the
movie and I love it
Noreen: Peris?
Peris: I just want to say that I think „Shreds of Tenderness‟ is a really good play.
Noreen: Apepo?
Apepo: I saw the movie „An enemy of the people‟ too and I really like it. I loved that part
where Aslasken asks Dr. Stockmann to…
Noreen: Excuse me, Apepo, but we should talk about that after the discussion is over. Does
anyone have any other suggestions? No? Ok, Kabonyi proposed „ An enemy of the
People‟, Tom likes „Shreds of Tenderness‟ and Lillian wants to the „The River
Between‟. Has anyone seen or read all three? No. Ok? I suggest that we all go to
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 the library and read them and then continue the discussion in a couple of days. Is
that ok with everyone? Ok. The discussion is over.

(i) Identify any three wrong things done by the class in terms of effective communication

(a) Koech was part of the audience listening to a speech delivered by the Director of Youth
Affairs on how to empower the youth. After the speech the Director asked them questions on
the key issues which featured in the speech. Koech could not remember much. What do you
think he failed to do during the speech?
(b) You have been invited to give a talk to the Pamoja Youth Group on etiquette. You decide to
focus on respecting personal space in social interaction in your talk. Describe two examples
that you would use to illustrate the different situations in which it would be important to
respect personal space.
(c) During a presentation, you were interrupted severally by some members of the audience.
Give four reasons why the audience would do so?

10. (a) Identify the silent letter(s) in the following words

(i) Married.................
(ii) Bomb ...................
(iii) Difference ............
(iv) Satchet...................
(v) Buffet .......................

(b) Read the following oral song and answer the questions that follow:-
ORAL SONG
Ndiegu akatsia kusuma
Achima umwana
Numwana akatsia kusuma
Achima ndiegu

Ndiegu vava
Ukalilanga gu?
Zunu, zunu, zunu....

Translation
Ndiegu went to beg for food
She didn‟t give it to the child
The child went to beg for food
It didn‟t give it to Ndiegu

Ndiegu, please
Why then are you crying?
Pinch, pinch, pinch......

(i) Give the characteristics of this oral performance

(ii) What features of oral performance are lost when this song is written down?
(iii) If you were to perform this song before your fellow students in form II, what
accompaniments would make for this audience to remember your performance
for a long time?
(iv) What aspects of this song would make it easy for the audience to join in the singing of
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 (c) You are required to give an impromptu speech in a crowded assembly of inattentive students.
State what you would do to ensure that they listen to you
(d) Divide the following words into their constituent syllable units e.g. Operate – op-er-ate
(i) Wonder ................
(ii) Honey ..................
(iii) Drawback...............
(iv) Town ....................
(v) Education...............

(e) (i) Two teachers (Mrs. Stima – D.O.S and Mr. Obwaya – the drama teacher) of Kiti High school
are involved in a discussion in the staffroom. They are assessing the possibility of allowing
students continue with their entertainment on Friday evenings. Complete the conversation:-
Mrs Stima: Mr. Obwaya, do you think entertainment is necessary in this school?
Mr. Obwaya:
Mrs. Stima: More time? This is unacceptable! Let the students do what brought them to school.
This is a school and not a leisure resort.
Mr. Obwaya:
Mrs Stima: In fact we are wasting time discussing this issue. Let‟s ban entertainment. We are not
destroying anybody.
Mr. Obwaya:
Mrs. Stima: (calmly) Would you please, explain why you are favouring this issue.
Mr. Obwaya:
Mrs. Stima: But when they go into the dance hall they are never grown ups nor are they
responsible. They should stick to books.
Mr. Obwaya:..
Mrs Stima: I am sorry, Mr. Obwaya, I‟ve to cut you short. Are you aware that the majority in
this school are of the opinion that entertainment should be curtailed?
Mr. Obwaya: (shocked)
Mrs. Stima: That is it. Nothing is going to happen and nobody is going to change this.
Mrs. Stima:…………………….
Mr. Obwaya: yes! Why not? They even need to be added more time
Mrs. Stima: ………………………..
Mr. Obwaya: I agree with you but you know, we may think we are assisting the children but find
we are destroying them.
Mrs. Stima: *
Mr. Obwaya: to me entertainment is part and parcel of learning. It is absolutely necessary
Mrs. Stima: ……………………………………
Mr. Obwaya: Students need time away from their books. Let them ventilate their steam.
Furthermore, they are responsible as they are grown-ups
Mrs. Stima: ……………………
Mr. Obwaya: But they need……
They show interruption. if no ellipse or dots, award “0” mark.
Mrs. Stima:
Mr. Obwaya: What! It can‟t be! You are invited for trouble√
N/B:- The exclamation mark is necessary to show shock.
Mrs. Stima:

(ii) State two forms of polite address used by Mrs. Stima in the above conversation (1mk)

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11. (a) Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
BOY ON A SWING
Slowly he moves His blue shirt
To and fro, to and fro, Billow in the breeze
Then faster up and down. Like a tattered kite

The world whorls by: Mother!

east becomes west, Where did I come from?
north turns south When will I wear long trousers?
The four cardinal points in his head, Why was my father jailed?

i) Identify any two sound patterns used in this poem and illustrate them.
ii) Why do you thing the poet uses the sound patterns you have identified in (i) above?
iii) How would you say line 2 – 4 of this poem and why?
iv) Give words that sound similar to the following ones in this poem.
Blue –
Wear

b (i) Rearrange the following words in pairs of homophones.

whines, mown, lays, weather, dough, laze , moan, doe, whether, wine
(ii) Provide minimum pairs for the following words.
/t/ /d/
doubt
dt
dor
c) You were the best student in K.C.S.E. last year. The principle of your former school has
requested you to give a speech to the present candidates. What important aspects would
you consider in order to enhance effective speech delivery?

d. Read the following dialogue and answer the questions that follow:
Makokha : Hi old man! I hope you know why I‟m here, Your girl Lavender
loves me and I have come to take her away. Where is she?
Murunga : Did I hear you right? Did you say ………………………….
Makokha : Yes, Lavender! Just say how many goats you want!
Murunga : Who are you? Whose son are you?
Makokha : Good heavens! You mean you don‟t know f who Iam? You must be
the only one in this village who doesn‟t know famous people like
me. I am Makokha or Deno, the guy whose voice you usually hear
on Egesa F.M. radio. You are a very lucky father- in- law!
Murunga : What is the world coming to?
Makokha : I hope you are not going completely blind. The world is going
nowhere! It is Lavender who is coming to my three- stories palace.
Ask her to come. I am running late.
Murunga : Young man …….. get out of my sight before I set dog, Tobby, on you!

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 d. (i) Identify and illustrate four things that you find wrong with Makokha‟s manner
of speech.
(ii) “Your girl, Lavender, loves me and I have come to take her away.” Rewrite this sentence
in the manner in which Makokha should have uttered if he had a sense of courtesy.
(iii) At one point Makokha deliberately misunderstands Murunga. Identify this point and
state what it reveals about Makokha‟s attitude.

12. Read the following poem and respond to the questions

I SHALL RETURN
I shall return again. I shall return
To laugh and love and watch with wonder eyes
At golden noon the forest fires burn,
Wafting their blue – black smoke to sapphire skies
I shall return to loiter by the streams
That bathe the brown blades of the bending grasses,
And realize once more my thousand dreams.
Of waters rushing down the mountain passes.
I shall return to hear the fiddle and fife
Of village dances, dear delicious tunes
That stir the hidden depths of native life
Stray melodies of dim- remembered tunes.
I shall return. I shall return again
To ease my mind of long, long years of pain.

(a) i) What three things does the poet wish to return to?
ii) Name the stylistic device to emphasize the poets longing.
iii) Describe two sound patterns used in the poem
iv) A poem is best read aloud. What do you think is lost if you read this poem silently?

b) Imagine you are part of the audience that is listening to a speech. You look around and notice
that some people are looking at their watches, a few are yawning and one or two are shifting in
their seats.
i) What would be the likely cause of such behaviour? Mention at least four causes
ii) If you were to be the speaker, what would you do to capture and sustain the interest to
the audience? Mention at least four

c) i) For each of the words below give another word with the same pronunciation
Wet –
Soar –
Would –
Tied –
One –
You –

ii) Underline the silent sounds in these words

Gain
Helipad
Resist
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 Rhy
Tomb
Deliver

d) What will be the meaning of the sentences below if the underlined words are stressed i)
The young tout and the driver, hijacked the car
ii) The young tout and the driver, hijacked the car
e) The phone rings.
Mr. Oundo: (picking the phone) Yes!
Ken : Who is speaking please?
Mr. Oundo : What do you want?
Ken : I would like to speak to …
Mr. Oundo : Speak up I cant hear what you are saying!

From the above telephone conversation identify and explain at least three cases of lack of
telephone etiquette

13. a) Read the poem below and answers questions based on it.
LISTEN TO THE RAIN
Listen to the rain,
The whisper of the rain,
The slow soft sprinkle,
the drip-drop tinkle,
the first wet shisper of the rain.

Listen to the rain,

the singing of the rain,
the tiptoe pitter patter,
the splish and splash and splatter,
the steady sound,
the singing of the rain.

Listen to the rain,

the roaring pouring rain,
the hurly-burly
topsy- turvey
Lashing gnashing teeth of the rain,
The lightning-flashing
Thunder crashing
Sounding pounding roaring rain,
leaving all outdoors a muddle,
A mishy mushy muddy puddle.

Listen to the quietude,

The silence and the solitude
Of after rain,
The dripping, dripping, dropping,
The slowly, slowly stopping
The fresh wet silent
after time
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 of rain.

i) Identify any two sound patterns employed in the poem

ii) Describe the rhyme scheme of the poem
iii) How would you say the first line of the poem?

b) A bear will bear a bear

i) Classify the above genre
ii) State two functions of the genre above
iii) Give another example of the genre

. c) Underline the odd one out

i) Picked wicked packed sacked
ii) World worker wolf worship
iii) Think this thing thistle
iv) Tube tutor turn tumour

. d) i) non-verbal skills in communication are very important in the delivery of any oral item.
State any four forms of non-verbal cues
ii) Give three reasons why listening is an essential aspect of communication
iii) How would you say the following statements ;
i) Why do you always come to church late?
ii) Are you the boy who was found bullying the form ones?
iii) I don‟t believe your story.

e) Imagine you are faced with the following situations and give at least two appropriate
responses to each situation
i) You accidentally knock down another student on the pavement
ii) You are in a hurry to get to school and three people are busy conversing right in
the middle of the path
iii) Your friend has lost a close relative and you decide to console her

14. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:-

The sun rises in the east

Sending forth its morning Heat
The lily in the valley below
Reflects its wondrous glow

Red yellow pink and white

The roses send out their bright light
It is such a wondrous sight
Beauty shining through the night

(i) Explain one way through which rhythm has been achieved
(ii) Write down the rhyme scheme of the poem.
(iii) Explain any two ways you would ensure your audience enjoys your performance of
this poem
(iv) Which three words would you emphasize in line three of stanza one?
(v) Underline the silent letter in the following words:.
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 Rendezvous
Condemn
Eulogy .
Phlegm .
(vi) Using each of the following words. Construct two sentences with each to show the two
meanings implied in the word . .
(vii) Your school principal has invited a prominent professor to offer a talk on a topic of students‟
interest. Briefly explain any four features that would prove one is not listening
(viii) Give a word that sounds similar to the one given below (3mks) ½ a mark each
Analyst -
Surge -
Session-
Through -
Sterling-
Symbol-
(f) The following is part of a conversation between a student and a principal of some school in
Kakamega District. The student is the chairperson of the school’s writers’ club and is
requesting for permission for the club members to attend a writers symposium at a neighbouring
school. Complete the conversation.

Student: ………………………………….. . . …………………………………………

Principal: Good morning, your club patron Mrs. Wasike had mentioned that you would see me about
a symposium but she did not elaborate what is the symposium about and Show will you
benefit from it.
Student: ………………………………………………………………………………
Principal: That sounds like a very useful symposium How many club members will attend and how
do you intend to finance the trip? .
Student: ………………………………………………………………………………
Principal: That is a good number, and I hope you will raise enough money from the projects. If some
remains after the trip you could support the school bursary fund. You have my permission.
Student : …………………………………………………………………………………………

15. Fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word (10mks)
Although (1) _____President and prime minister effectively (2) _____ a ceasefire
(3) ______they (4)______on the telephone (5) _________ Wednesday night and asked
their lieutenants to cease hostility 6relationship may not b e out of the woods (7) _________.
The President (8) ______Prime Minister differed when Raila (9)_______ the suspension
of (10)___William Ruto of Agriculture and Sam Ongeri of Education a week ago.
(Adapted from The Standard Newspaper)

. (a) The following is a telephone conversation between Jane and her mother. Jane is a student at
Mwalimu High School, while her mother, who has been unwell for some time, is a business
lady. Complete the dialogue by filling in the blanks with appropriate responses.

MOTHER : Hello Jane! How are you?

JANE : ……………………………………………………...(2mks)
Mother : Oh! Little girl. Don‟t worry about that, I am still on drugs and I believe all will
be well very soon. I am concerned about your school work. Have you improved?
JANE : …………………………………………………………………………….………
Mother : This is great. I have always prayed for you. Don‟t relax after mid-term results.
PSE
 Now make sure that you are working hard to be the best in the district.
JANE : …………………………………………………………………………….………
MOTHER : You are right Jane. Caro is joining University of Nairobi and all of us in the
village are proud of her. Where are you going on the tour?
JANE : …………………………………………………………………………….………
MOTHER : I will send somebody to clear the remaining amount. Next month is only ten
days away.
JANE :…………………………………………………………………………….………
MOTHER : Daddy is doing well but he has gone on transfer to Kianyaga.

(b) Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow

She dwelt among untrodden ways

Besides the springs of dove;
A maid whom there was none to praise
And very few to love

A violet by mossy stone

Half-hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be:
But she in her grave, and oh,
The difference to me!
Questions
(i) Describe the rhyme scheme of the above poem (2mks)
(ii) Which word would you stress in stanza 1 line 4, and why? (2mks)
(iii) If you were to recite the poem in a drama festival, what two performance features would you
employ in the last stanza? Give reasons (2mks)
(c) From the following list, write down five pairs of words whose pronunciations are similar
Abattoir well coup
Rattle kettle hail
Nose zoo cape
Hale tour whale
Gape meteor noise (5mks)
Cattle knows cups
(d) Rewrite the following words in two columns of the hissing sounds /s/ and /3/
depending on their pronunciations (5mks)
Conscious
Special
Ocean
Measure
Cushion
Explosion
Motion
Seizure
Brush
Fushion

PSE
 (e) Imagine you have been invited to speak about the role of NACADA in fighting drug abuse
among the Kenyan youth. What would you need to ensure that your speech is successful?
(f) Mention five non-verbal cues you would use to make your speech effective (5mks)

16. a) Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow;
THE EAGLE
He clasps the Crag with crooked hands:
Close to the sun in lonely hands,
Rung with the azure world, he stands,

The wrinkled sea beneath crawls:

He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunder belt he falls.

Questions
Identify two sound patterns employed in the poem. (2 mks)
What has the poet achieved by use of the above? (2 mks)
Which word would you stress in the last line and why? (2 mks)
a) What gestures would you use while reciting line one of the poem? (2 mks)
b) A small woman who cooks better than your mother, Answer. Bee
i) Identify the above genre. (1 mk)
ii) Give any three functions of the genre above. (3 mks)
c) Write another word with similar pronunciation as these. (5 mks)
Come
aren‟t
need
way
oral
d) i) Explain three reasons why listening is an important aspect of communication.
ii) State any three forms of non verbal cues and briefly explain what each of them
entails.
e) Mention the words or expressions you would use in each of the following situation. (3
i) You are revising for your end term exams at home. Your neighbours are playing very loud
music. You decide to go over to their house to request them to reduce the volume of their
radio.(1 mk)
ii) A friend of yours comes to your house to invite you to accompany him or her to watch
a movie.
You are unable to accompany him/.her because you have not finished your chores in the house.
You decide to turn down the invitation. (1 mk)
iii) Your friend has sent you message that she or he has lost his or her mother. You decide
to console him or her. (1 mk)

17. (a) Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
My old man‟s white old man
And my old mother‟s black
If ever I cursed my old white old man
I take my curses back

If ever I cursed my black old mother

And wished she were in hell
PSE
 I am sorry for that evil wish
And now I wish her well

My old man died in a fine big house

My ma died in a shack
I wonder where I‟m gonna die
Being neither white nor black (By Langstone Hughes)

a) (i) Describe the rhyme scheme of the poem (2mks)

(ii) Apart from rhyme, identify another sound pattern used in the poem and state its effect
(iii) State the words you would stress in the third last line and explain why (2mks)
(iv) How would you say the last line? (1mk)
b) In which word is the vowel sound different in the following set of words? (5mks)
(i) son, sun, can, hut
(ii) came, come, late, name
(iii) so, sew, sow, sod
(iv) hot, robe, cock, cost
(v) hurt, herd, hard, firm
c) Indicate the intonation pattern in the following sentences (5mks)
(i) Are you serious?
(ii) You must behave yourself
(iii) I am going shopping
(iv) He can‟t do that, really!
d) In a conversation, how does one know it is his/her turn to speak? (5mks)
(e) You are attending a seminar with your friend. Halfway through the presentation by
one of the speakers, she (your friend) tells you that she can hardly concentrate.
Explain any seven strategies you would advice her to employ so as to listen effectively
and benefit from the talk. (7mks)
.

18. (i) Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
I sit outside my house and listen
From the construction site comes
Pound, push, pull and plunk.

I get back into the house and listen

Form her kitchen comes
Wash, swirl and gush

To bed I go at last for peace

But
Mutter, wheeze and slurp

He snores in peace
While I awake I remain
The noise too intense to ignore

Oh! The noise they make

In the house, out the house
Out the bed, in the bed
Why can‟t they keep silence?
PSE
 (a) What is the poem talking about? (1mk)
(b) Identify any two sound patterns used in the poem (4mks)
(c) Which words would you stress in the last line of stanza three? Why ? (2mks)
(d) (i) How would you say the line of the poem? (1mk)
(ii) Identify four pairs of words with the same pronunciation from the list below (4mks)
Hale Pose missed draught mist
Way bawl air ball tile
Why tall pause draft hit
Drought ore wail till heat
(iii) You are a radio presenter and you are scheduled to interview a prominent politician abut
the current proposed constitution.
(a) What preparations would you carry out before the interview? (6mks)
(b) What strategies would you employ during the interview session? (6mks)
(iv) Explain any six important details you will use when giving direction to make it accurate.

PSE
 SECTION B
{ENGLISH PAPER 2}
COMMONLY KCSE TESTED QUESTIONS
 THE SAMARITAN
KCSE EXCERPTS PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 EXCERPT 1
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Seymour: (Springing to his feet with clenched fists) That cannot be possible.
Nobody can write that kind of thing about me in this world!
Harvester: (Looking at Ted and Seymour) Copies of indisputable documentary
evidence to that effect were all over today’s newspapers and are being shared in all
media platforms.
Seymour: (Resuming his seat and swearing with trembling voice) Those are fake
documents! These are all barefaced falsehoods! And I can assure you one thing:
Those behind the allegations now have their appointment with fate! Certainly!
Ted : (Sitting properly and looking up for the first time) Supply of air? I am
beginning to think this is serious. Could we end up in Baneta Express Prison?
Harvester:(Turning pages of his note book) But that is only one of the
allegations, there are many more, including drug trafficking, grabbing
of public land, inflation of the cost of municipal projects, use of
proxies to secure municipal tenders, undertaking shoddy public
works, murder and gang warfare. The information is very detailed on
the people and companies involved.
Mossi: There is a lot of personal information on municipal leaders on
that evil thing, too; including lifestyles of individual municipal officials,
where they live, the kind of houses they live in, their businesses, the
vehicles they own, other properties in their possession, when the properties
were acquired, and a lot of other personal details I don’t want to mention
here. (Looking at Bembe) There was a lot of talk yesterday on the Madingo
Golf Club, with everyone Wondering where you got the money to put it up.
Bembe: (Sitting up with an expression of horror on his face) The Madingo Golf
Club? No! I have always been very discreet about my private affairs! How
did they get the Information it is mine?

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 Mossi: You see, there is hardly anything on earth you can do without somebody
knowing
About it. You should also remember that those we regard as our
friends are Sometimes wolves in sheep’s clothing. And they may have a lot of
information about us, which could be damaging!
Bembe: This might be our worst nightmare!
Mossi: What worries me most is the recent formation of a lobby group, an
amorphous virtual group, comprising mostly of lawyers, calling itself The
Samaritan. It is calling upon the people to volunteer as witnesses and help in
the prosecution of those involved in corruption and abuse of office in the
Municipality. They are also planning to petition the Local Government
Minister, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice to take action. The
situation is not pretty at all.
Ted:(Looking at Justice Jaden) Can such online allegations form a strong basis for
prosecution and conviction?
Jaden: (Adjusting his eyeglasses) Yes, they can; provided there are valid documents
supporting the allegations.
Bembe: (Throwing his hands in the air) I think we have no choice other than
ban that thing within Maracas Municipality! The Municipal Council needs to
pass a by-law to that effect urgently. I will enforce it immediately!
Jaden: (Adjusting his eyeglasses and then his tie) I think we need to be careful
and strategic. On what basis do you ban it? And how can you police the use of
mobile phones to ensure the ban is effective?
Seymour: We can think creatively about that. For example, we can claim
that municipal authorities are concerned that suspect Apps, particularly
spy Apps, are finding their way into our municipality. This may lead to theft
of confidential information such as bank account details. We can also cite
issues of cyberbullying and the sharing of pornographic materials in
schools.

QUESTIONS
a) What is Seymour referring to at the beginning of the excerpt? (2mks)
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt. (4mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c)Discuss two themes evident in this excerpt. (4mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d)Discuss one character trait of Seymour and one character trait of Mossi as
presented in this
excerpt. (4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) From your knowledge of the rest of the play, what two things does Mossi suggest
could be done to control the use of the Samaritan App? (2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) From your knowledge of the rest of the play, briefly explain the origin of the
Samaritan App.
(4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt
(5mks)
i)Supply of air …………………………………………………………………………………
ii)inflation
…………………………………………………………………………………………
iii)discreet
…………………………………………………………………………………………
iv)amorphous…………………………………………………………………………………
v)petition……………………………………………………………………………………………

EXCERPT 2
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Seymour: Money, money, money! And more money.
Ted: You mean we give money to the two students and the teacher?
Seymour: No, mobilise enough money to fight any cases that might be brought
up against us
 and if necessary, enough for dealing in other ways with those who
insist on
pursuing us.
Ramdaye: Good idea, but I have loans and projects. I don't think I can raise
any money now.
Bembe: I, too, just finished the Madingo Golf Club recently. I am as broke as
a church
mouse.
Ted: I cannot raise a meaningful amount, either.
Harvester: If that is the case, they why can't we find a way of averting the court
cases from
coming up in the first place?
Bembe: How will that work?
Harvester: We will announce a grace period within which everyone in the
Municipality should
come clean, confess their mistakes. Give back what they have
acquired irregularly,
forgive one another and then open up a new chapter of honesty in
the\ conduct of
our municipal affairs.
Ted: (Chuckling) That has never happened anywhere in the world!
Harvester: It can be our local initiative. I know the truth can set us free.
Harvester: Isn't restitution an admission of guilt? How can I incriminate myself?
And in any
case, what if you are accused of crimes other than acquiring wealth
irregularly?
Ted: I doubt whether restitution is a good idea.
Ramdaye: That takes us back to the idea of raising money to fight the cases. We
may have to
procure loans or sell some of our properties.
Seymour: Since we all do not have money, why can't we find a way of getting
that money
from the Municipal Fund?
Mossi: Municipal Fund? How?
Seymour: We just need to do some reallocation of budget line items.
Ted: I agree. We must set aside some money to take care of investigators,
lawyers,

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 prosecutors and judges if things go wrong.
Seymour: You see, the waste disposal system in our town is in terrible state.
There is garbage
all over the place and the drains are broken. As we speak, it is a
serious health
hazard. We can justify reallocation of funds on the need to address
this problem. In
reality, we will use some of the funds to fight off cases that are
without a doubt
coming.
Mossi: (Surprised and in disbelief) What?

QUESTIONS
(a) Briefly explain what happens just before the events in the excerpt. (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) What does Hon. Seymour imply when he says they need to mobilise enough
money, if necessary, enough for dealing in other ways with those who insist on
pursuing them? (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) Identify with appropriate illustrations two character traits of Hon. Seymour
brought out in the excerpt. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 (d) (i) I doubt whether restitution is a good idea. (Rewrite in the reported speech)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) It can be our local initiative. (Add a question tag) (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) We just need to do some reallocation of budget line items. (Rewrite in the
passive) (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) Discuss two thematic concerns of the writer raised in the excerpt. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(f) Pick out and illustrate two stylistic devices used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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(g) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(h) Briefly explain what happens shortly after the events in the excerpt. (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 EXCERPT 3
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Ramdaye: Aaa, aah, aah, aah that was sericus mayhem! It never occurred to
us that Mayor Mossi would violently disrupt our meeting. The message is now
very clear: he will not allow any meeting to discuss his ouster.
Seymour: It certainly was. The hooligans were very brutal. (Demonstrating) But I
drew my gun and refused to run away. I dared them to touch me!
Ted: One of them aimed a rock at my head. I never though anybody could
handle such a huge stone. It flew past my head like a rocket-propelled grenade.
It missed my head by the thickness of a pig's bristle!
Seymour: (Looking at Hon. Ramdaye) I was shocked you could run as you did, at
your age!
You whizzed past me like an express train! I never thought you would ever come
to a stop!
Ted: I doubt they were just hooligans.
Seymour: Yes, their organization and speed suggest there is more than meets the
eye. It was like a military operation.
Ted: And there was smoke all over: burning tyres, papers, mattresses and sacks,
combined with
tear gas smoke. Sadly,we never anticipated this. I think the Mayor is
a good
organiser.
Ramdaye: He is called Mossi-ca-Tunya, the smoke that thunders! He is a master
schemer and
a go-getter!
Seymour: It is very clear that we at war. We need to carry on with our plan, to
the last detail.
We will not be cowed! We must mobilize the entire Municipal Council
to pass the
no confidence motion against him. (Looking at Hon. Ted) And, to get
down to

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 business, you remember we tasked you to talk to Councillors and
Aldermen and
assess whether they will support the no confidence motion.
Ted: Yes, you did, and as you know, our political landscape comprises
Councillors and
Aldermen of mixed ethnicity as well as those of the Afro and Indo
descent.
Ramdaye: Oh, yes, it does. So?
Ted: I was on the phone almost all night and very little support was forthcoming.
I assumed wrongly that we could whip up racial and class prejudice to get many
of them to support us. How mistaken I was! After talking to them, I realised that
our chamber members are of different categories that we must keep in mind even
as we seek to woo them to support our cause.

QUESTIONS
(a) Briefly recount the events leading to this excerpt. (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) Why does Hor. Ted doubt the brutal young man who disrupted their morning
meeting to discuss the Mayor's ouster were just hooligans? (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) Discuss two character traits of Hon. Seymour and one of Ted brought out in the
excerpt. (6 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(d) What two themes are evident in the excerpt? (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(e) Single out and illustrate two features of style employed in the excerpt.
(4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) (i) I never thought you would ever come to a stop! (Rewrite beginning: How...)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) One of them aimed at a rock at my head. (Add a question tag)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Yes, their organization and speed suggest there is more than meets the eye.
(Write replacing the underlined word with a phrasal verb. (1 mark)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) I dared them to touch me. (Report) (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(g) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
• Ouster

• Whizzed

Go-getter

EXCERPT 4
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Mossi:(Turning to Bembe) Oh, yes. And remember to get your undercover
officers to shoot in the air now and then. You know... they must know that I
leave thunder and smoke in my wake!
Bembe: Consider that done. But the land? Are you sure about it?
Mossi: Consider it done, too. (After some interval of silence) So those are two
problems solved; your hotel and tomorrow's vote of no confidence meeting. But
we still need to figure out how to deal with The Samaritan.
Mossi:I liked the idea of talking to that teacher at Sagrada Secondary School.
Harvester:Yes, it would be good if we secured an understanding that she will edit
or filter some of the information coming out about us.
Mossi;That would solve the whole problem! Very well, I will go there first thing
tomorrow morning and talk to her.
Harvester: You never know, she might oblige.
Mossi: But I seriously doubt she will. She struck me as a very difficult person, an
enemy of the progress of our Municipality.
Bembe: Let's just try. If she doesn't yield, I will visit her. I have a way of making
people switch allegiances.
Mossi:I doubt it is advisable for you to go there. You might make things worse.
You know sometimes when I think about your approach to problems, I am
reminded of what they call the law of the instrument.
Bembe: What is it about?
Mossi: That if all you have is the hammer, you tend to think of every problem as
a nail. Bembe: In times such as these, every instrument must be put to good use.
In fact, I have been thinking that we should accuse her of some crime, like
stealing school furniture or let's say, a computer, or even a generator and then
pin it on her! Then we can tell the judge to put her in!
Harvester: I don't think that will work. Certainly the judge will not oblige.
Mossi:I think so too. (There is silence. Mossi scratches his head thoughtfully) I
think our next step will be to talk to the Judge. If he can imprison Ramdaye and
his team, we will have killed two hirds with one store: we will have aborted. The
no confidence vote and we will have responded to the people's demand for
imprisonment of corrupt leaders! I will talk to him.

QUESTIONS
(a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) What two character traits of Inspector Bembe and one of Mayor Mossi come out
in the excerpt?
(6 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) (i) Certainly the judge will not oblige. (Rewrite adding a question tag)
(1mark)

(ii)Yes, in fact, we will get someone to steal the school generator and then pin it on
her. (Rewrite in the reported speech) (1 mark)

(iii) But we still need to figure out how to deal with The Samaritan. (Rewrite
replacing phrasal
verb in bold with one word) (1 mark)

(iv) If she doesn't yield, I will visit her. (Rewrite replacing "if" with "unless")
(1mark)

(d) Identify two features of style used in the excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) Discuss two themes raised in the excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(1) Explain the meanings of following words used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
⚫ Filter-

⚫ Allegiance's

⚫ Oblige

⚫ Aborted

EXCERPT 5
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Bembe:You have a reputation for being too strong-willed to be suitable for a school
teacher.
You're as stubborn as a mule.

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Nicole:What crime is that?
Bembe:Well, it is not a crime as such; but don't you think it is a bad influence
to the students? (Bangs the table violently and shouts an order. Two police
officers enter.) Handcuff her! (There is a commotion as the officers reach out to
Nicole. She resists but is overwhelmed. There is an interval of silence as Bembe
begins to rummage through papers on Nicole's table. Nicole refuses to move and
sits down on the floor. The officers drug her on the door) Stop. (The officers stop.
There is silence. Then Bembe moves behind Nicole's table and starts pulling the
drawers open, one after the other) Where have you hidden it?
Nicole: Hidden what?
Bembe: The Samaritan! (Nicole is visibly surprised at the answer but remains
silent) I will tell you this, whenever you see me personally involved in an arrest,
you must know it's a serious matter, as serious as death. And you should be
afraid. Very afraid!
Nicole: I am not guilty of anything, and I refuse to be intimidated! (Inspector
Bembe bangs the table violently with his gun. Nicole recoils with a start.) Woman!
Show some seriousness!
This is no laughing matter. Are you willing to talk?
Nicole: About what? (There is silence as Inspector Bembe wears his beret
and places his scepter under his armpits)
Bembe: About The Samaritan.
Nicole: What about The Samaritan?
Bembe: Where is it?
Nicole: I don't understand you?
Bembe: Where is it? (He repeats angrily)
Nicole: (Swinging her head in disbelief) I have no such thing in my possession, but
you can download it from the internet.
Bembe: (Hitting Nicole on the face with a bunch of papers) Now you have to tell
those two students to shut that thing off. Alright?
Nicole: Why should I?
Bembe: Because it is the right thing to do!
Nicole: I have no right to dictate what they do with their App.
Bembe: Then you have to shut it down yourself! We believe The Samaritan is your
brainchild!
The two students are just a cover-up! And the App is a grave danger to society!
Nicole: Mr. Inspector, when The Samaritan helps us fight environmental
degradation by exposing the culprits, is that dangerous?
Bembe: Fighting environmental degradation is none of the school's business! We
have competent agencies employed to do that! Teach the authorized curriculum.
Nicole: When it helps us to know who supplies air to the Municipal Council instead
of goods and services, is that dangerous?

QUESTIONS
(a) Briefly outline the events preceding this excerpt. (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) In the light of what has been happening in the text, why does Inspector Bembe
tell Nicole that she has a reputation for being too strong-willed to be suitable for
a school teacher? (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) Discuss two thematic concerns of the writer raised in the excerpt.
(4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 (d) Identify one character trait of each of the following characters:
(i) Inspector Bembe
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Nicole
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) (i) Because it is the right thing to do! (Rewrite replacing "Because" with another
subordinating conjunction) (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) You're as stubborn as a mule. (Rewrite adding a question tag) (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) You're just confirming some of the other accusations that have been made
against you.

(Rewrite replacing the underlined word with a phrasal verb) (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(f) Pick out two stylistics devices employed in the excerpt and illustrate them.
(4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(g) (i) We believe The Samaritan is your brainchild! (Rewrite in the passive voice)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Then you have to shut it down yourself! (Rewrite ending with "then") (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(h) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
• Download –
• Brainchild -
• Grave -

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 EXCERPT 6
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John Lara
and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Nicole: I have been reading the posts on The Samaritan and they are all about
leaders, public officials and even private individuals. You have not been singled out
in any way
Mossi: Far from the truth! Take the issue of development, for example.
Everywhere in The Samaritan, I am being accused of inflating the cost of projects
and presiding over shoddy Municipal works. Am I indeed responsible for that?
Nicole: Maybe it is because you are the overall leader. The buck with you, as they
say.
Mossi: Oh, yes, it's easy to think so because I am the overall custodian of the
public good in our Municipality. But take any project, such as the construction
and maintenance of secondary roads in our town. Are any roads ever
constructed? I will tell you what happens. Only a few kilometres of road are
usually dug up and then levelled. Then the contractor pours old black oil and
claims the road is tarmacked. Today, our secondary roads look like part of an
abandoned battlefield where bombs were detonated. Even tractors can get stuck
in those roads! Yet, the Council pays top dollar for these roads each year! Am I
responsible?

Nicole: Tell me, Your Worship.

Mossi:(Standing up and pacing about the boardroom) It is my Deputy! That
irredeemable gossip and broker! As you know, he doubles up as our Municipal
Secretary for the Department of Physical infrastructure. He uses this position to
ensure only his companies or those of his relatives win tenders for road
construction in our Municipality. The same happens with regard to tenders for
the construction of bridges, pavements, drains and watercourses.
Sadly, they don't de de any meaningful work! They simply misappropriate the
 funds!
Nicole: So what does that have to do with the people?
Mossi: Doesn't bother you that the people overwhelmingly voted for this kind of
a person knowing very well he has never accomplished anything in his life other
than swindle the people?
Nicole: Oh, did they know?
Mossi: Of course, they did! There is hardly any person he has not conned in this
town! You always find him leaning on the street poles in cur town's backstreets,
gazing vacantly into empty spaces like an evil spirit-waiting for fake title deeds to
be printed. He prints ten title deeds for the same plot, and then sells the same
plot to ten different people. Yet the people went ahead and voted for him! Why do
the people glorify evil and mediocrity, and then turn and whine when it hurts
them? And you know what?

QUESTIONS
(a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 (b) Mayor Mossi claims that Hon. Ramdaye has conned almost everyone in
their town. Mention one Council leader who has been conned and explain
how. (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c ) Discuss two themes raised in the excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(d) Identify two character traits of Hon. Ramdaye brought out in the excerpt.
(4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) What two stylistic techniques the writer has employed in the excerpt?
(4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(f) (i) They simply misappropriate the funds! (Rewrite in the passive)
(1 mark)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Only a few kilometres of road are usually dug up and then levelled.(Rewrite in
the active voice) (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Maybe it is because you are the overall leader. (Rewrite replacing "may be"
with another word)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) The buck stops with you, as they say. (Rewrite adding a question tag)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(v) Everywhere in The Samaritan, I am being accused of inflating the cost of

projects and presiding over shoddy Municipal works. (Rewrite replacing the
underlined word with a phrasal verb) (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(g) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (2 marks)
⚫ Misappropriate
⚫ Inflating
 EXCERPT 7
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Mossi: Far from the truth! Take the issue of development, for example.
Everywhere in The Samaritan, I am being accused of inflating the cost of projects
and presiding over shoddy Municipal works. Am I indeed responsible for that?
Nicole: Maybe it is because you are the overall leader. The buck stops with you,
as they say.
Mossi: Oh, yes, it's easy to think so because I am the overall custodian of the
public good in our Municipality. But take any project, such as the construction
and maintenance of secondary roads in our town. Are any roads ever
constructed? I will tell you what happens. Only a few kilometres of road are
usually dug up and then levelled. Then the contractor pours old black oil and
claims the road is tarmacked. Today, our secondary roads look like part of an
abandoned battlefield where bombs were detonated. Even tractors can get stuck
in those roads! Yet, the Council pays top dollar for these roads each year! Am I
responsible?
Nicole: Tell me, Your Worship.
Mossi :(Standing up and pacing about at the boardroom) It is my Deputy! That
irredeemable gossip and broker! As you know, he doubles up as our Municipal
Secretary for the Department of Physical infrastructure. He uses this position to
ensure only his companies or those of his relatives win tenders for road
construction in our Municipality. The same happens with regard to tenders for
the construction of bridges, pavements, drains and. watercourses. Sadly, they
don't do any meaningful work! They simply misappropriate the funds! Nicole i:
So what does that have to do with the people?
Mossi : Doesn't bother you that the people overwhelmingly voted for this kind of
a person knowing very well he has never accomplished anything in his life other
than swindle the people?
Nicole: Oh, did they know?
Mossi: Of course, they did! There is hardly any person he has not conned in this
town! You always find him leaning on the street poles in our town's backstteets,
gazing vacantly into empty spaces like an evil Spirit — waiting for fake title deeds
to be printed. He prints ten title deeds for the same plot, and then sells the same
plot to ten different people. Yet the people went ahead and voted for him! Why do
the people glorify evil and mediocrity, and then turn and whine when it hurts
them? And you know what?

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QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Mayor Mossi claims that Hon. Ramdaye has conned almost everyone in their
town. Mention one Council leader who has been conned and explain how

(2 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Discuss two themes raised in the excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Identify two-character traits of Hon. Ramdaye brought out in the excerpt.

(4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
e) What two stylistic techniques the writer has employed in the excerpt?
(4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) They simply misappropriate the funds! (Rewrite in the passive) (l mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Only a few kilometres of road are usually dug up and then levelled. (Rewrite
in the active voice)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Maybe it is because you are the overall leader. (Rewrite replacing "may be"
with another word)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

i) The buck stops with you, as they say. (Rewrite adding a question tag)
(1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

j) Everywhere in The Samaritan, I am being accused of inflating the cost of

projects and presiding over shoddy Municipal works. (Rewrite replacing the
underlined word with a phrasal verb)
(l mark)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

k) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (2 marks)
Inflating
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Misappropriate
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EXCERPT 8
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow. (25
marks)
Mossi As you all know, The Samaritan crisis has snowballed into a huge
nightmare since our meeting a week ago. I called you here as my dependable
allies so that we can agree on how to handle the unfolding crisis.
Bembe: Before we can get there, Your Worship, it is only fair that I bring to your
attention the very high likelihood of my untimely death, any time soon.
Mossi: What did you say?
Bembe: I logged into the App yesterday and found out that I am accused of
countless cases of corruption, violation of human rights, drug peddling, and
extortion. It's giving me the willies! And you know very well my blood sugar isn't
good. At one point, I suspect I drifted into a coma!
Mossi: Did you say sugar? That is a bit dangerous. You may need to eat some
salt every now and then. But above all, don't worry, you are not alone. (Holding
his head with both hands) I also temporarily lost consciousness when I learned
that my Deputy, Seymour and Ted are mobilising Councillors and Aldermen to
pass a vote of no confidence in me. I fear they will send me to prison. I now see
Baneta Express Prison each time I close my eyes. It is such a damned place! I
can even smell the revolting stench of the cells though I have never been there!
Harvester: That could be an ill omen.
Mossi: it's a very distinct smell. So strong, I have been unable to eat since
yesterday!
Bembe: You may need to chew something with a strange taste and pungent smell;
or in fact, something completely neutral, like ordinary grass.
Mossi: But I am not scared, as I always say. This is the nature of war. So, to get
to our business...
Harvester: Your Worship, let me also bring to your attention that I am accused
of many crimes of abuse of office. The latest accusations are the letters I did
banning the use of Apps and directing our ICT Officer to take steps against
suspect innovations. No sooner had I dispatched the letters than they found their
way into The Samaritan.
Mossi: (Looking at Mr. Harvester) Don't worry, I am also accused of many crimes,
particularly what they are calling municipal capture. What exactly is that by the
way?
Harvester: it is worst form of corruption and abuse of office, ' in which your
private interests determine the direction of public policy, Mossi: Do you think
there is evidence for that?
Harvester: I see a wide range of purported documentary evidence posted on the
App, but I don't know whether it is admissible in court. I wonder how the people
are getting all this information, some of which is classified.
Mossi: It is the porcupine!
Bembe: The porcupine?

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Mossi: Yes, the weather-beaten porcupine! I mean the opposition chief, Hon.
Basdeo! He has been the main actor behind the information on that thing and
the newspapers. My contacts in the media houses confirmed this to me last night.
The day we left Sagrada Secondary School lats year; the porcupine went straight
to the bank. He withdrew money and paid journalists to sit down for days on end,
looking for any damaging information on us, and uploading it on The Samaritan.
He has assembled serious arsenal against us enough to last for the next two
months!' That confirms The Samaritan is a political weapon to destroy me. And
the porcupine can do anything to acquire power! Even selling. his own mother!
Harvester: He is doing a horrible job on us. Today's stories are particularly
damaging. (Looking at the mayor) They have all reported, for example, that I
ordered the purchase of all the newspapers the other week using public funds
following your instructions.

QUESTIONS
a) From elsewhere in the play, why do the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Seymour and Hon.
Ted mobilize Councilors and Aldermen to pass a vote of no confidence in Mayor
Sossi (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Identify and explain the character of Inspector Bembe and Harvester as

brought in this excerpt.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Identify and illustrate two aspects of style used in the excerpt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Describe Mayor Mossi's attitude towards Hon. Basdeo.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Explain any two themes addressed in this excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) No sooner bad I dispatched the letters than they found their way into The
Samaritan. Rewrite beginning: Barely...
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) What happens immediately after this excerpt? (2 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Explain the 'meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage.

(4 marks) Dependable allies

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 Giving me the willies

Damned place

Admissible in court

EXCERPT 9
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Nicole: (Looking at Montano and Alvita alternately) You see, I like the idea of The
Samaritan. Do you remember what happened in the parable of the Good
Samaritan?
Alvita: 'Yes, Mistress. Robbers attacked a Jewish man. They beat him, up, robbed
him and left him for dead by the roadside.
Nicole: (Turning to Montano) Then what happened, Montano?
Montano: A priest passed by. He saw the injured man lying by the roadside. Even
though he was a religious man working in our maker's house, he did not help the
man. He ignored him and went on his way.
Nicole: (Facing Alvita) And then?
Alvita: And then came the Levite. He was a religious man, too; as Levites worked
as assistants to the priests. He also did not stop to help the man.
Nicole: Then?
Montano: Next came a Samaritan. Though holding a different view on religion,
and despite the hostility between Jews and Samaritans, he treated the man with
compassion, dressed his wounds and took him to a safe place.
Nicole: You inspired me by naming your innovation The Samaritan. It made me
realize that the people in our Municipality are like the Jewish man in many ways.
We are beaten, stripped, robbed and left for dead. And the people you would
expect to help us, our leaders and our public officials, cannot come to our aid.
They are 'like the Priest and the Levite in the story. They only talk about pursuing
public interest without ever being genuinely committed to it. The shepherds have
turned against the sheep. So, who will help us? It's up to, all of us without any

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claim of any office, to be The Samaritan — to another. And you know what? Alvita:
Tell us, Mistress.
Nicole: The Samaritan App is an excellent platform for all of us to be there for
one another. It gives each one of us an opportunity to speak out against wrong
doing and to share ideas that will make life better for all of us. You see, if we all
care only about ourselves, how will our Municipality ever prosper? We must be
there for one another; we must do the right things in the right way and we must
all take the responsibility for the progress of our Municipality. It is only in this
way, that we pan ultimately improve our own individual lives. Alvita: But now the
App can't help? Mistress.
They won’t allow it.
Nicole: They don't have to; but 1 9ssure you The Samaritan will change the course
of history in our Municipality
Montano: It will not be good for you, Mistress. We all heard the mayor speak and
it was clear he meant every single word. You may be in grave danger, Mistress.
Nicole: Whatever they may do to me doesn't matter. Sometimes it is good to stand
for a cause that can bring a better tomorrow for all of us.
Alvita: The Samaritan has been all over the newspapers, radio and TV channels
for over two months. It has grown so big that it is not good for us anymore. Could
they transfer you from our school? We would like to follow you wherever you go.

Nicole: we must always strive to improve our lives, not chicken out at every
obstacle and threat to our lives. You are young kids; young also in the ways of
the world, but what you have done is to provide the people with a smart and
convenient tool for casting a spotlight on our leaders — a platform where people
can expose the corrupt ways of our leaders, expose their stolen wealth and create
a better society for all of us.

QUESTIONS
a) What is Montano reacting to in his first statement in this excerpt? Explain the
reason for the rejection using illustrations from elsewhere in the play(4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Compare Maracas residents and the Jewish man in this excerpt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Explain the dominant style in this excerpt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Describe the character of Ms. Nicole in this excerpt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Explain the relevance of the Samaritan app to Maracas residents.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Identify and illustrate any two this excerpt, (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) It has grown so big that it is not good for us anymore. Rewrite beginning: So..
(l marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt

(3 marks)
Left for dead
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Inspired
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chicken out
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EXCERPT 10
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Narine: I did; maybe he has not seen 'it. (There is silence, then the principal
continues) The App has sent shock waves across the Municipality. Leaders and
many other people are in terrible panic. l am beginning to feel you might have to
do a very long and hard thinking about the App. (Pauses again) I do not know
how, but this matter has to be brought to a close with the urgency and
seriousness it deserves. It is dangerous.

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Nicole: I believe it will be over soon, once the President has launched the App,
Madam Principal, Then it will be out of our hands.
Narine: I am not completely sure about that. What I am certain is that our
Municipal leaders are convinced you are running the show behind the scenes as
regards the App: and that-you are in a position of getting them out of the
predicament they now find themselves in.
Nicole: It is natural for them to think so; most people do. And this is because I
am not only the teåcher in charge of innovation but also a mentor to the two
students.
Narine: Nothing beyond that?
Nicole: Nothing.
Narine: You see, Nicole, you are one of my best members of staff. It would be very
unfortunate if you lied to me. I am an old lady, Nicole; old enough to be your
mother and perceptive enough to know the kind of ambition you have.
Nicole: Well, I did midwife the idea of the two students and then guided them. As
their mentor, I should also provide direction us regards their intellectual property
as the originators of the App. But then, isn't that my role as a teacher and
mentor?
Narine: Nicole, you have been here long enough to know me. I take my work
seriously. I am single- mindedly focused on the mission of the school, whicll is to
provide the students under our care with quality education. I have never allowed,
and will not allow, any teacher in this institution to deviate from this course.
Nicole: I have absolutely no intention of deviating from my professional
obligations as a teacher, Madam Principal.
Narine: Everything done in this school must serve the single purpose of preparing
the students entrusted to us to be responsible and productive citizens. I will not
stand or allow anything that will distract you, or any other member of staff, or
the students, or even myself, from pursuing this mission. You must, therefore,
figure out a way of putting this matter to rest. I think what you are doing is good.
But it must not derail us from the greater good that is the mission of the school.
Do you understand?
Nicole: Yes, yes, I understand, Madam Principal. But would you rather that we
abandon such an ingenious innovation, with the great potential of improving
governance in our Municipality, just to appease a self- seeking political class?
Narine: Listen to me, young lady. I am a seasoned administrator and I know the
value of learning how to pick battles. You need to know which battles to wage,
which ones to avoid and which ones to defer. What battle can a young girl like

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you have with the Mayor? If you dare an elephant into a wrestling match, will it
not trample on you?
Nicole: An elephant that kills a rat is not a hero, Madam Principal.

QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in 'its immediate context. (4 marks)
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b) Identify two themes in this excerpt. (4 marks)

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c) Describe the character of Narine and Municipal leaders as revealed in this

excerpt. (4 marks)
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d) Identify and illustrate two aspects of style used in this excerpt. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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e) Explain the following images as used in the excerpt (2 marks)

Wrestling match
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An elephant
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f) Listen to me, young-lady. Rewrite beginning: Will… (l mark)

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g) Why is Madam Narine cautious about Nicole's battle with the Municipal
leaders? (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt.

(4 marks)
Midwife

Ingenious

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 Figure out

Defer

EXCERPT 11
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Norine: …Any issues you hove with the App should, therefore, be referred to the
Minister's office directly. Additionally, (l joint team of the Education Ministry
officials and the President's once is now responsible for all arrangements in
preparation for the (Sips from his cup again, nods thoughtfully and then turns to
Nicole) i see! That was a clever man oeuvre on your part, wasn't it?
Narine: You may have to excuse me, Sir. In light of the Minister's clarification
that the school has nothing more to do with the App, it is my understanding that
your talk with Nicole is a private affair and has nothing to do with the school.
(Rising from her seat.) I, therefore, request; with all due respect, to be excused
from this meeting.
Mossi: (Looking surprised and fidgeting on his seat) Well... well... eh. I think that.
.. eh... is well spoken, Madam Principal. I do not want to interfere with your work
of running the school.
Narine: Thank you, Sir. (The Principal drains her glass and walks out. Mayor
Mossi sighs, and looks at Nicole in the eye)
Mossi: I am sorry if I have appeared a bit hard on you, Nicole. I just want us to
have an honest talk.
(Mayor clears his throat) My major worry is that a malicious person, or political
opponent — like
Hon. Basdeo — will deliberately post false information about' me on that App

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Nicole: I do not think you need to worry about that, Sir. If anyone posts false
information, or defames you, there is nothing that stops you from pleading your
grievance in a court of law.
Mossi: Most of the posts are anonymous. How can I take legal action against an
c anonymous person?
Nicole: You see, the App is configured in such a way that the identity of those
posting anonymously is hidden from the public but not from the of the App. You
can, therefore, obtain the identities of persons behind defamatory posts from an
administrator. The proprietor of the App is under legal obligation to provide that
information upon request by a court of law.
Mossi: Even then, Nicole, The Samaritan App has far reaching ramifications. Of
course, I may have made some mistakes here and there. We all do. I have come
here to own up my mistakes and to seek for your understanding and help.
Nicole: (Sips from her glass of water, with a look of surprise on her face)
Understanding and help? From me?
Mossi: Yes, I mean, please find a way of eliminating some of the negative
information that they post about me. I am very vulnerable to falsehood as a
leader.
Nicole: How can I do that, Your Worship? I am not an administrator of The
Samaritan App. I have no access to the backend. I am nothing in the whole
enterprise.
Mossi: My understanding is that you are the mentor Of the two kids. I believe
you can always prevail upon them to do this for us.
Nicole: The National Information and Communications Corporation has taken
over the App and is making decisions on behalf of the two students. As we speak,
they are in talks with some venture capitalists towards commercializing the App.
Mossi: (Sips from his cup, then pushes it aside) Nicole, how about loobing at it
differently? Nicole: Which way, Your Worship?
Mossi: We all need money. The young kids need money, and you surely 'can do
with some cash. Just quote your figure, however big.
Nicole: (looking at the Mayor, unbelievingly. After a while, with a firm voice and
looking straight at the Mayor) I am very disappointed that the man in whom we
have entrusted the affairs of our Municipality, including fighting corruption is
offering to bribe me. I have never been and will not be part of these kind of
schemes! Do you want me to post that offer of money on The Samaritan? Mossi:
Eh, well, eh... I didn't mean that. I meant to say... why look for venture capitalists
elsewhere? We are here. I mean. .. you, as the mentor, and I, as an investor, why
can't we commercialize the App.

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 QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
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b) Describe the character of Narine, Nicole and Mossi in this excerpt. (6 marks)
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c) Identify and illustrate one style used in the excerpt (2 marks)

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d) Why can't Nicole offer the help that Mayor Mossi needs? (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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e) Explain any two themes used in the excerpt. (4 marks)

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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f) Why has Mayor Mossi come to see Nicole?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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g) I can inject the necessary seed capital, and you can bring in the technical
expertise. Rewrite beginning: You and I...
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt.

(3 marks)
Clever maneuver
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Defames
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ramifications
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 EXCERPT 12
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Mossi:…… Section of the municipal leadership is demanding that I approve a
budget reallocation so as to give each Council member money to fight court cases
that might come up against them following exposures in The Samaritan. All this
money will end up in the pockets of judges and lawyers. If I don't do this, they
will pass a vote of no confidence in me. Thereafter, they will reallocate the budget
to cater for their interests.
Nicole: Does that mean that the whole of what we call our Municipal Council is
a criminal enterprise?
Mossi: One could easily conclude so, but of course with some exceptions. There
are some very good and wonderful leaders in that Chamber, and in the Municipal
administration. In fact, take me, for example, I have been trying the best I can to
protect the public interest.
Nicole: (Interrupting the Mayor) You mean all the accusations levelled against
you in The Samaritan are false?
Mossi: To be honest, we all make mistakes, as I said, but some are just natural
and excusable. See, for example, a loaf of bread for the people comes through me.
I am part of the people; so I take a slice, or even two, or in fact only three, and
give the rest to the people: (the Mayor pauses, then continues.) But not so with
these criminals. They eat the whole loaf together with the wrapping and, where
possible, even the vendor! (Pauses again) And remember my family does not deal
with the Municipal Council. My wife is a pastor and does no business with the
Municipal Council. My children are all abroad. What with all these other
criminals? Take my Deputy, Hon. Ramdaye. His family are doing almost all
Municipal Council projects that fall under his department. His wife, daughters,
sons, cousins, in-laws and out-laws too; and I think even his great grandfather!
You might think our Department of Infrastructure is the official residence of the
Ramdaye family!
Nicole: To whom are all these people answerable?
Mossi: (Ignoring her question) And the Principal Judge! Justice Ian Jaden! Who
can put him on the line? Granted, his wife ran away, but he has countless
mistresses and relatives doing business with the Municipal Council. Justice

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Jaden hawks justice like cabbages! I believe you have seen him; smartly dressed,
wearing a solemn look, ',walking with confidence and looking fair and just! but
that is just the exterior that we see, just as we see the flowers on the surface of a
fresh grave! Dare dig deeper and you will see Justice Ian Jaden in his true colours!
And that's the way most of them are in the legal profession! The outer looks are
the ornaments of a grave! Is it any wonder that the Son of Man cursed them?
Nicole: Oh my good Lord!
Mossi: And then Hon. Seymour! Well, okay, his children don't do business with
the Municipal Council; but it is because they are all on drugs. The eldest has
taken permanent residence at the rehab. The other one is inebriated permanently
at the casino. The wife is total garbage and perpetually drunk. And Seymour
himself? He does nothing other than sell those evil things he deals with, pull his
evil goatee and hide behind his satanic dark glasses threatening everyone and
everything including his own shadow! That man can
Nicole: Don't you think, Your Worship that posting this information on The
Samaritan would help shift most of the blame from yourself?

QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
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b) Explain the effectiveness of two figures of speech in this excerpt.

(6marks)
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) From elsewhere in the play, state what The Samarian has exposed. (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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d) Identify and illustrate any two themes addressed in the excerpt (4 marks)
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e) Describe the character of Justice Jaden and Hon. Ramdaye as revealed in this
excerpt (4 marks)
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f) To whom are all these people answerable? Rewrite to end ...to. (1 mark)
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g) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage.

(4 marks)
Mobilized

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 Criminal enterprise

Inebriated

Perpetually drunk

EXCERPT 13
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Nicole: Your Worship, it is very clear from our talk that members of the Municipal
Executive Council have failed you.
Mossi: Of course! They have failed me big time!
Nicole: And don't you think The Samaritan is a blessing for you? I mean as a
platform through which the people can demand the corrupt leaders' removal from
once and prosecution?
Mossi: (Turning suddenly to face Nicole, like one suddenly jolted back to reality)
Should I take that to mean this thing is a political weapon? (Pointing at Nicole,
with a tremor in his voice) Are you by any chance being used to destroy my
political career?
Nicole: I do not play politics, Sir.

Mossi: (Pacing about in anger) And what did you say? It is now very clear to me
that you are playing politics. In fact, I now realise the real culprit behind all the
problems in our society is the teaching profession!
Nicole: Teaching profession? How?
Mossi: (Pointing ta Nicole) You cannot teach the right things. All the people
creating the mess in our society are products of the school system. They all pass
through the teachers’ hands!
Nicole: Your Worship, we are trying our best to mould the character of our
learners here at Sagrada Secondary School. We teach them to uphold the moral
and civic virtues without which our society can never prosper, be fair, just, and
peaceful. We teach them the virtues of honesty, truthfulness, generosity, integrity

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and transparency, (She pauses, then resumes) It is the lack of virtue that is
ruining our society.
Mossi: How can you tell children that in future the police can be replaced with a
software or was it an intelligent robot? Is that teaching virtue/ what attitude do
you want them to have towards police officers? Do you think they can ever obey
the police?
Nicole: We are seeking to develop virtuous creative thinkers and innovators. And
we may not only replace police officers with intelligent robots but also develop
software that will eventually replace the politician.
Mossi: (Menacingly) I now know why you insist on an innovation that cannot
solve any problem. It is all political! And you want us to believe that those young
kids are capable of developing something like The Samaritan App.
Nicole: Yes, they are, they were introduced to coding at a very tender age.

QUESTIONS
a) What happens just before this excerpt? (3 marks)
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b) Do you think lack of virtue ruins the society? Explain your answer. (3 marks)
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Describe the character of Nicole and Mayor Mossi in this excerpt. (4 marks)
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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c) You cannot teach the right thing. Rewrite adding a question tag, (1 mark)
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d) Identify and illustrate one style used in the excerpt (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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e) Explain two themes addressed in this excerpt. (4 marks)

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f) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt.
(4 marks)
Onslaught

Play politics

Virtuous

Coding

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g) Describe Nicole's attitude towards politicians. (3 marks)
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h) What happens immediately after this excerpt? (2 marks)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EXCERPT 14
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Seymour: Like who?
Ted: They are quite a number. Hon. Ferreira, or Mr. Key, ag they call him, is the
best example. This man has never seen a fence on which he can't sit, I-le can
hardly ever commit to any side. We chatted at length, and he kept talking in
circles, citing proverbs and idioms here and there.
Ramdaye: I wonder why they called him Mr. Key. I hear he can never make up
his mind which door to open or in fact, whether to open any door at all!
Seymour: So, what did he say?
Ted: He said that what will be, will be because something certainly will be.
Ramdaye: Is that a proverb?
Ted: I have since been wondering whether it is, but he also said you don't cross
the bridge until you get to it. Seymour: Which bridge now?
Ted: I am not sure which bridge he meant, but I guess he must have been talking
about the cases, in case we are sued.
Ramdaye: What an upstart he is! I hear he even has difficulties deciding what
and how much to eat!

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Seymour: You talked of different categories. What are the other
Ted: The other category comprises the majority. I would best describe them as
the headless type.
Ramdaye: Headless?
Ted: Yes, they have brains, alright', but they don't use them.
Seymour: How on earth?
Ramdaye: You mean they're like a headless chicken?
Ted: Exactly! They are headless chicken. They follow 'the, leader of their ethnic
group who thinks for them. And they wait for that leader to make decisions for
them in all matters, including the decision to go to pee. Most members of the
People's, Party of Mr. Basdeo belong here, and so do the members of Mossi's
Liberal Party.
Seymour: I thank God I don't belong to any ethnic group,
Ted: Then, there is what I can best describe as the entrepreneurs, very keen on
making money.
They vote with the stomach, so to speak, that means they will vote the side that
gives more money. Seymour: Are you saying they demanded money to support
the no confidence motion?
Ted: Yes, that was my understanding. I indicated funds would be available. They
promised to deal as soon as money changes hands.

QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context (4 marks)
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b) Describe character of Hon, Perreira and Hon, Ted in this excerpt (4 marks)
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Identify and illustrate two stylistic devices used in this excerpt. (4 marks)
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d) What cases is Hon. Ted referring to in this excerpt? (4 marks)

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e) Then, there’s what I can best describe as the entrepreneurs, very keen on
making money.
‘Rewrite using a relative clause, (1 mark)

f) Identify two themes addressed in this excerpt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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g) Explain why the leaders in this excerpt are planning a vote of no confidence.
(2 marks)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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h) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt.

(2 marks)
Upstart

Vote with the stomach

EXCERPT 15
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Ted: Then finally there is the independent-minded category. This is the type that
listens to and serves the people.
Seymour: I get you. (With contempt) I believe Hon. Yongrui, or Mr. Developer, as
he is popularly known, is the best example of these.
Ramdaye: I hear he's a highly disciplined man. His ancestry is mixed and it's
hard to tell if he is Indo- Japanese or Indo-Chinese. He was previously a head
teacher. He exerts the same school discipline in running his ward.
Seymour: What did he say when you talked to him?
Ramdaye: Sshs, shss, I hear he is terminally ill, so we don't have to worry about
him. Some say he ate uninspected meat.
Ted: Yes, so I never got to talk to him. Hope he gets well, he's a kindly soul, you
know.
Seymour: His political star has been rising steadily with people thinking he is
the right person for the mayor’s seat. Who knows, maybe Mayor Mossi gave him
rat poison or some insecticide! The man can do anything to eliminate opposition
against him.
Ramdaye: I expect the so-called Mr. Torch is also in that group of the
independent- minded. I understand he is a highly educated man. People say he
has many ideas that don't seem to tie up sometimes.

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Ted: I got much the same impression because he spoke many wise things and
did strange things on phone
Ramdaye: For example?
Ted: (Pointing at Hon. Ramdaye) When he heard you are against Mossi, he gave
a very long short of derisive laughter
Ramdaye: Devil take his soul! He has never liked me.
Ted: I sensed as much.
Seymour: How did you sense that?
Ted: Well, we argued about who has better leadership qualities between Hon.
Ramdaye and Mayor
Mossi.'
Ramdaye: What was his choice?
Ted: He said there is always a winner even in a beauty contest of monkeys!

QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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b) Describe the character of Mr. Torch and Hom Yongrui in' this excerpt.
(4 marks)
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c) Describe Mr Yongrui's attitude towards Hon. Ramdaye. (3 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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d) Explain the effectiveness of two metaphors used in the excerpt. (4 marks)

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e) Identify and illustrate two themes addressed in this excerpt. (4 marks)

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f) He said there is always a winner even in a beauty contest of monkeys! Rewrite

adding a question tag. (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
g) Explain the meaning of the following expression as used in the excerpt:
(4 marks)
Kindly soul

Contempt

Political star

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 Tie up

EXCERPT 16
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Ramdaye: …As I told you, it was him who approached me with the idea of
impeaching Mayor Mossi. At that time, he didn't know we had already made that
decision. He had promised to be here by this time. He should be coming in
anytime.
Seymour: So, how does he want us to work together?
Ramdaye: It will be a coalition of Indos and all Chamber members of mixed
ethnicities. He will mobilize Councilors and Aldermen allied to him to vote for you
(Pointing at Seymour) as Mayor. As a member of the so-called Dougla, our hope
is that Chamber Members of Indo and Afro descent will readily accept you as a
compromise candidate.
Seymour: Did he spell out any conditions for the alliance?
Ramdaye: Yes, that once you become Mayor, you will immediately appoint him,
Deputy Mayor.
Ted: (Walking towards' the door) Come on guys. That's a breakthrough! Let's go
to the bar for a beer to celebrate. 'I have a terrible hangover to cure. I need a cold
Carib or two. (The knob of the door clicks. The door opens, and the political
opposition chief, Hon. Basdeo enters. As usual, she is smartly dressed in a
Sherwani suit. The quartet shakes hands.)
Ramdaye: (Addressing Jlon. Basdeo) We were waiting for you. I have briefed them
about our discussions. We are in agreement about working together. Your
appointment as Deputy Mayor is guaranteed. The next step, now that you ate
here, is to agree on the grounds for the vote of no confidence.
Basdeo: I think that doesn't matter at this
stage,
Ted: Really?

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 Basdeo: or course! What we need at this point is to alienate Mayot Mossi from
the people. You see, if people have sympathy for him, we will not succeed. So the
next step is to set people against him Seymour: That makes good sense.
Ted: how do you propose to do this?
Basdeo: We will get a few speakers, the most articulate, to incite the people.
Ramdaye: The need for equitable development in Maracas. Mayor Mossi is not
development minded. We will talk about building roads. He has not built even a
spoor. In fact...
Basdeo: (Interrupting Ramdaye) Gentlemen, development issues will neither
incite nor excite the people. You need to excite people's emotions if you are to
incite them. Tell them things that will annoy them, or issues that will make them
afraid and they will follow you, obediently like little puppies. Give them an enemy
to hate and blame for their problems and they will be on your side.

QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (6 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Describe two-character traits of Hon. Basdeo in this excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Explain two themes addressed in this excerpt. (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) What is ironical about Hon, Ramdaye's comment that Mayor is not development
oriented?(3 mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
e) Gentlemen, development issues will neither incite nor excite the people. Rewrite
in the affirmative. (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Apart from irony, identify and illustrate any other style used in this excerpt.
(2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Hyperbole he has not built even a spoor

h) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. (5 marks)
Impeaching

Compromise candidate

Quartet

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 Set the people against him

Spoor

EXCERPT 17
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Basdeo: Of course, it isn't. Politics is not about thc truth gentlemen, am teaching
you politics now. We have to evoke the emotions of the people.
Ramdaye: So, how do I record that?
Basdeo: Yes, call it marginalization of other
communities
Ted: This is not politics!
Basdeo: That's not even enough yet. You all know very well that some parts of
our Municipality are allied to Mossi because of some projects he did there. We
have to hive off part of this support if we ate to isolate him.
Seymour: How do we do it?
Basdeo: The people in these areas are mostly of oriental descent. So we can create
and widely circulate the story that the people of these parts are descended from
the same ancestor with our people, the Indos. (Scratching his head and looking
up in deep thought) Just a story... eh. .. like. .. in the beginning, there was an
enormous egg, with a diameter of... like... five kilometres. When the egg broke
mysteriously, Shang Ramas, the great, emerged, very thirsty.
Ted: That's an exciting fairy tale that no one can buy!
Basdeo: (Interrupting Ted) Don't worry, eh, yes, so when Shang Ramas went to
fetch water, remember he was very handsome, he found two girls drawing water
at the river. He married them promptly and settled them each on one side of the
river. The girl on the Eastern side ofthe river became the mother of the Indo
people. The other girl became the mother of all other oriental peoples.
Seymour: You think people will believe that?
Basdeo: People are very gullible! Don't you know that?
Ramdaye: So, what do I call that?
Basdeo: It is called historical revisionism.'
Seymour: What is that?

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Basdeo: Don't worry, but it could mean exposing historical lies that have been
concocted by Mayor Mossi to confuse the people about their heritage,
Ted: You are not exactly the man I thought you were!
Basdeo: We have to be very creative, my friends; power doesn't come by easily
fact, we have to further divide Mayor Mossi's ethnic group from other races by
emphasizing their differences. (Looking up again in deep thought) We will say...
eh...that.,. the people of Mossi 's community have a peculiar smell.. , (Moving his
nose up and down in distaste) resembling that of a beetle, while other people
don't smell. Unlike other people, they also tend to believe in obeah!
Ramdaye: So, what do I write?
Basdeo: Celebrating people's cultural identity,
Rmndnye: (Writing) Okay,
red: I think those points ate adequate We don't need to belabour these matters.
We need to get back to life (Dancing while still scated) We should have some
drinks, and remember today is Calypso night at Vibrations! I need to be in places!
Seymour: (Looking angrily at Ted) Grow up. Ted! This is not time for
celebrations
Red: We live only once, don't we?
Seymour: (Ignoring Ted and turning to Basdco) Okay, so how shall we approach
this?
Basdeo: We will convene a huge political rally. The points I have given out will be
mnong the core messages we will convey to the people at the rally. I suggest that
Hon. Ted apportions the topics to Councillors and Aldermen who are on our side
and who are good orators. Please alert them in good time so they can prepare
adequately. They have to make passionate emotional appeals.
Ted: Very well, I will handle it.
Ramdaye: I think that is settled. So when do we hold the rally?
Ted: I suggest next week on Friday so that it coincides with the Carnival
festivities. Several single pan bands are scheduled to perform at the Atobold
Stadium on Friday. We expect there will be hundreds of people clad in colourful
costumes and dancing to the exciting sounds of steel pan, soca and calypso
music!
Seymour: Oh, yes„l agree. The Carnival is not called the greatest party in the
world for nothing! There can never be a better setting for exciting crowds than
the carnival! In fact, we can arrange with the artists to compose anti-Mossi
slogans and have them performed in ballad style rhythms.

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Ramdaye: Unfortunately, we may need to hold the rally much earlier. I got
information that Mayor Mossi consulting his lawyers on the possibility of our
arrest and prosecution.

QUESTIONS
a) What happens just before this excerpt? (6mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Identify and illustrate two stylistic devices used in this excerpt. (4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) Describe Hon. Basdeo's attitude towards people. (2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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d) Describe the character of Hon. Basdeo and Hon. Ted in this excerpt. (4 mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) I got information that Mayor Mossi is consulting his lawyers on the possibility
of our arrest and prosecution. Rewrite using ...having. (2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Identify and illustrate two themes in this excerpt. (4mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) State the events that happen immediately after this excerpt. (3mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Explain the mean or the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (4 mks)
Hive off

Make passionate emotional appeals

Carnival

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 Prosecution

EXCERPT 18
Read the excerpt given below and then answer the questions that follow.
(25 marks)
Mossi: (Pacing about on the stage, turns to face the Principal and Nicole.) I am
afraid we may not continue with this thing. Oh, I have already forgotten what you
ate calling
Pirro: (Looking rather disappointed) but why, Your Worship? This is a blessing for
out country.
Mossi: Don't you see it? It might turn out to be platform for misinformation, lies
and witch hunt You see, last year someone spread a rumor that had died, Me
just sent a text message on some social media and it spread like wild bush fire
and do you I know almost died? During that time i accidently swallowed a whole
toothpick!
Ramdaye: Oh, yes, I see the risk. They might spread another rumor on this
platform! And you might swallow another toothpick! Yes, you will!
Basdeo: (To Mayor) The way I see it, that App will be a people's platform! And it
will have far reaching implications whether you launch it or not.
Mossi: (Casting a stern look at Mr. Basdeo) I need time to think about it. I will
raunch it at my own convenient time. (Turning to Nicole and the Principal) There
are no two ways for now. Halt any activities regarding that thing until my office
gives further guidance. (Ramdaye nods in approval. Other guests exchange
knowing glances in silence)
Narine: Your Worship, the President of the Republic is scheduled to officially
launch the App at the national level early next year when schools reopen. We
presently have some ongoing activities in preparation for it. I doubt whether this
process can be stopped.
Harvester: (Looking at the Principal and Nicole alternately) Is that
so?
Mossi: (Looking at the Principal) The President?
Narine: Yes, Sir.
Ramdaye: Why have you kept us in the dark about it?

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Narine: The Mayor's office has been duly informed, Sir.
Mossi; (Looking at Narine) Oh yes, I remember! But you never explained that
kind of thing it was! No, you still have to stop it!
Pirro: I think that is beyond their powers, Your Worship. (Looking at Mr. Pirro)
This thing we are talking about is a school project under their control! (Turning
to face the principal) It is, therefore, within your powers to find a way around it.
You are at the centre of it! Figure out a way, like writing to the Ministry of
Education indicating that there are some fundamental errors in it that you need
to attend get what i mean?
Nicole: I am afraid, Your Worship, the assessment of the innovations was done
by senior officers at the Ministry of Education. Experienced software engineers
Were involved. It passed all the tests, and no errors were found,
QUESTIONS
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Why is Mayor Mossi adamant to launch the App? (2 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) From elsewhere in the play, what is the name of the App and how is it a people's
platform? Give reasons App is error-proof.

d) Think about fit: (Rewrite using the question tag.)

e) Identify and explain any two stylistic devices used in the excerpt.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt.

(4 marks) Far-reaching Implications

Halt

Kept us in the dark

Figure out a way

EXCERPT 19
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John
Lara and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Seymour: (Springing to his feet with clenched fists) That cannot be possible.
Nobody can write that kind of thing about me in this world!
Harvester: (Looking at Ted and Seymour) Copies of indisputable documentary
evidence to that effect were all over today’s newspapers and are being shared in
all media platforms.
Seymour: (Resuming his seat and swearing with trembling voice) Those are fake
documents!
These are all barefaced falsehoods! And I can assure you one thing:
Those behind the allegations now have their appointment with fate! Certainly!
Ted : (Sitting properly and looking up for the first time) Supply of air? I
am beginning to think this is serious. Could we end up in Baneta Express
Prison?
Harvester:(Turning pages of his note book)But that is only one of the
allegations ,there are many more ,including drug trafficking, grabbing
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 of public land, inflation of the cost of municipal projects, use of
proxies to secure municipal tenders, undertaking shoddy public
works, murder and gang warfare. The information is very detailed on
the people and companies involved .
Mossi: There is a lot of personal information on municipal leaders on
that evil thing , too; including lifestyles of individual municipal officials,
where they live, the kind of houses they live in, their businesses, the
vehicles they own, other properties in their possession, when the properties
were acquired, and a lot of other personal details I don’t want to mention
here. (Looking at Bembe) There was a lot of talk yesterday on the Madingo
Golf Club, with everyone Wondering where you got the money to put it up.
Bembe: (Sitting up with an expression of horror on his face) The Madingo
Golf Club? No! I have always been very discreet about my private affairs!
How did they get the Information it is mine?
Mossi: You see, there is hardly anything on earth you can do without somebody
knowing
About it. You should also remember that those we regard as our
friends are Sometimes wolves in sheep’s clothing. And they may have a lot of
information about us, which could be damaging!
Bembe: This might be our worst nightmare!
Mossi: What worries me most is the recent formation of a lobby group, an
amorphous virtual group, comprising mostly of lawyers, calling itself The
Samaritan. It is calling upon the people to volunteer as witnesses and help in
the prosecution of those involved in corruption and abuse of office in the
Municipality. They are also planning to petition the Local Government
Minister, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice to take action. The
situation is not pretty at all.
Ted: (Looking at Justice Jaden) Can such online allegations form a strong basis
for prosecution and conviction?
Jaden: (Adjusting his eyeglasses) Yes, they can; provided there are valid
documents supporting the allegations.

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Bembe: (Throwing his hands in the air) I think we have no choice other than
ban that thing within Maracas Municipality! The Municipal Council needs to
pass a by-law to that effect urgently. I will enforce it immediately!
Jaden: (Adjusting his eyeglasses and then his tie) I think we need to be careful
and strategic. On what basis do you ban it? And how can you police the use of
mobile phones to ensure the ban is effective?
Seymour: We can think creatively about that. For example, we can claim
that municipal authorities are concerned that suspect Apps, particularly
spy Apps, are finding their way into our municipality. This may lead to
theft of confidential information such as bank account details. We can also
cite issues of cyberbullying and the sharing of pornographic materials in
schools.

QUESTIONS
a)What is Seymour referring to at the beginning of the excerpt ?
(2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b)Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt.

(4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c)Discuss two themes evident in this excerpt

(4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d)Discuss one character trait of Seymour and one character trait of Mossi as
presented in this
excerpt. (4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e)From your knowledge of the rest of the play, what two things does Mossi suggest
could be done to control the use of the Samaritan App? (2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) From your knowledge of the rest of the play , briefly explain the origin of the
Samaritan App.
(4mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt
(5mks)

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i)Supply of air …………………………………………………………………………………
ii)inflation
…………………………………………………………………………………………
iii)discreet
…………………………………………………………………………………………
iv)amorphous…………………………………………………………………………………
……
v)petition…………………………………………………………………………………………
…

EXCERPT 20
Read the following extract from the play “The Samaritan” by John
Lara and then answer the questions after. (25 marks)
Ramdaye: Aaa, aah, aah, aah that was serious mayhem! It never occurred to
us that Mayor Mossi would violently disrupt our meeting. The message is now
very clear: he will not allow any meeting to discuss his ouster.
Seymour: It certainly was. The hooligans were very brutal. (Demonstrating) But
I drew my gun and refused to run away. I dared them to touch me!
Ted: One of them aimed a rock at my head. I never though anybody could
handle such a huge stone. It flew past my head like a rocket-propelled grenade.
It missed my head by the thickness of a pig's bristle!
Seymour: (Looking at Hon. Ramdaye) I was shocked you could run as you did,
at your age!
You whizzed past me like an express train! I never thought you would ever come
to a stop!
Ted: I doubt they were just hooligans.
Seymour: Yes, their organization and speed suggest there is more than meets
the eye. It was like a military operation.
Ted: And there was smoke all over: burning tyres, papers, mattresses and sacks,
combined with
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 tear gas smoke. Sadly, we never anticipated this. I think the Mayor is
a good
organizer.
Ramdaye: He is called Mossi-ca-Tunya, the smoke that thunders! He is a master
schemer and
a go-getter!
Seymour: It is very clear that we at war. We need to carry on with our plan, to
the last detail.
We will not be cowed! We must mobilize the entire Municipal Council
to pass the
no confidence motion against him. (Looking at Hon. Ted) And, to get
down to
business, you remember we tasked you to talk to Councillors and
Aldermen and
assess whether they will support the no confidence motion.
Ted: Yes, you did, and as you know, our political landscape comprises
Councillors and
Aldermen of mixed ethnicity as well as those of the Afro and Indo
descent.
Ramdaye: Oh, yes, it does. So?
Ted: I was on the phone almost all night and very little support was forthcoming.
I assumed wrongly that we could whip up racial and class prejudice to get many
of them to support us. How mistaken I was! After talking to them, I realised that
our chamber members are of different categories that we must keep in mind even
as we seek to woo them to support our cause.

QUESTIONS
(a) Briefly recount the events leading to this excerpt. (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) Why does Hor. Ted doubt the brutal young man who disrupted their morning
meeting to discuss the Mayor's ouster were just hooligans? (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) Discuss two character traits of Hon. Seymour and one of Ted brought out in
the excerpt. (6 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(d) What two themes are evident in the excerpt? (4 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(e) Single out and illustrate two features of style employed in the excerpt.
(4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(f) (i) I never thought you would ever come to a stop! (Rewrite beginning: How...)
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) One of them aimed at a rock at my head. (Add a question tag)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Yes, their organization and speed suggest there is more than meets the eye.
(Write replacing the underlined word with a phrasal verb. (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) I dared them to touch me. (Report) (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(g) Explain the meanings of the following words used in the excerpt. (3 marks)
• Ouster

• Whizzed

Go-getter

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POETRY QUESTIONS
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
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 Section C- QUESTIONS
1.
Read the story given below and answer the questions that follow:-
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
The hare was always laughing at the tortoise because he walked so slowly. “Really I don‟t
know why you bother to go at all,” she sneered. „By the time you get there it will all be over-
whatever it is.‟
The tortoise laughed. “I may be slow.‟ He said, „but I bet I can get to the end of the field before you
can. If you want to race, ill prove it to you.‟
Expecting an easy victory the hare agreed and she bounced off as fast as she could go. The
tortoise plodded steadily after her.
Now it was in the middle of a very hot sunny day and before long, the hare started to feel a
little drowsy. I think ill just take a short nap under this hedge. „She said to herself.‟ Even if the
tortoise passed by ill catch him up in a flash. The hare lay down in the shade and was soon fast a
sleep. The tortoise plodded on under the midday sun. Much later, the hare awoke. It was later than
she had intended but she looked round confidently „No sign of old tortoise, I see, even if I did have
rather more than forty winks.‟
Away she went, running through the short grass and the growing corn, leaping ditches and
brambles with ease. In a very short time she turned the last corner and paused for a moment to
look at the place where the rope was to end. There, not a yard from the finishing line was the
tortoise, plodding steadily on. One foot after another, nearer and nearer to the end of the race.
With a great bounce the hare streaked forward. It was too late. Though she threw herself
panting over the line , the tortoise was there before her.
„Now do you believe me?‟ Asked the tortoise. But the hare was too out of breath to reply.

i) Classify the above narrative

ii) Why did the hare always laugh at tortoise?
iii) Why did the hare feel drowsy?
iv) What made it possible for hare to lose the race?
v) Try to picture yourself as the story teller charged with the responsibility of narrating this
particular story. What story telling devises would you employ?
vi) Why did the tortoise laugh at Hare‟s comment?
vii) Describe how tortoise‟s own words “…. I may be slow but I bet I can get to the end of the
fields before you can…..”eventually proved to be true.
viii) Mention any two moral lessons you can learn from this story

2. POETRY
Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:-
CRAZY PETER PRATTLES

So what is the mountain deal

about the minister‟s ailing son
that he makes boiling news?

How come it was not whispered

when Tina‟s hospital bed crawled with maggots
and her eyes oozed pus
because the doctors lacked gloves?

What about Kasajja‟s only child

PSE
 who died because the man with the key
to the oxygen room was on leave?

I have seen queues

of emaciated mothers clinging to
babies with translucent skins
faint in line
and the lioness of a nurse
commanding tersely
“Get up or leave the line‟

Didn‟t I hear it rumoured that

the man with the white mane
and black robes
whose mouth stores the justice of the land
ushered a rape case out of court
because the seven-year-old
failed to testify?

Anyway, I only remember these things

when I drink,
they are indeed tipsy explosion
(Crazy Peter Prattles’ by Susan Nalugwa Kiguli in Echoes Across the Valley: Ed. Arthur I. Luvai and Kwamchetsi Makokha)

(a) What problems are highlighted in the poem about the state of health care?
(b) What is the significance of the rhetorical question in the first stanza?
(c) Pick out any two images in this poem and explain their significance
(d) (i) Identify the problem that the fifth stanza deals with
(ii) How does this connect with the problems in the previous stanzas?
(e) Explain the meaning of the following words as they are used in the poem
(i) Oozed ....
(ii) Emaciated....................
(iii) Translucent ..
(f) What is the significance of the last stanza?

3. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.

I MET A THIEF

On the beach, on the coast,

Under the idle, whispers coconut towers,
Before the growling, foaming, waves,
I met a thief, who guessed I had
An innocent heart for her to steal.

She took my hand and led me under,

The intimate cashew boughs which shaded
The downy grass and peeping weeds
She jumped and plucked the nuts for me to suck:
She sang and laughed and pressed close
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 I gazed; her hair was like the wool of a mountain sheep,
Her eyes, a pair of brown –black beans floating in milk.
Juicy and round as plantain shoots
Her legs, arms and neck:
And like wine-gourds her pillowy breasts:
Her throat uttered fresh banana juice:
Matching her face-smooth and banana-ripe.

I touched-but long I even tasted,

My heart had flowed from me into her beast:
And then she went-high and south-
And left my carcass roasting in thee

a) Who is the persona?

b) What is the relevance of the title?
c) Paraphrase the last stanza
d) Identify and explain the significance of the three stylist devices employed in the poem
e) Of what race is the „thief‟ in the poem?
f) Explain the meaning of the line „an innocent heart for her to steal‟
g) Identify one economic activity portrayed in the poem

4. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
THE PROSTITUTE
There I see her coming
With borrowed steps
Like a coward ghost
Out of grass covered graveyard

She comes
Bearing no more
That attractive dames
Cover like soft babes

These
She has exposed
to bitter weather
and lusty eyes.

There I see her coming

like a nestles bird
that enters any nest
for a transient stay
at times
finding snakes
or hostile hawks
There I see her coming
like a black jack
a poisonous pest
that infects the city‟s plantation
diseasing the young
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 and old plant

There I see her

coiling herself around
tourists and bosses
like a parasitic
climbing plant

There I see her coming

from the back door
like a forged coin
that assumes the high value
yet always hounded by spies

I stand to see her

when the forged coin is found
when the immigration birds
are back in their nests
or when the dog
that it constantly feeds on
is washed with DDT
or when the dog is dead
on a tarmac road
and when the stems are cut
in the dry windy season

a) Name FOUR things the person referred to as „her‟ has been likened to.
b) What is the main theme of the poem? Explain with suitable examples
c) What is the attitude of the poet towards the subject of the poem? Illustrate using words or
phrase from the poem?
d) Identify three stylistic devices used in the poem and show their effectiveness in bringing out
the poet‟s message.
(e) Explain the meaning of the last stanza – what mood does it express?

5. ORAL LITERATURE
Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow:
THE WICKED CHIEF
There lived once a wicked chief. Nobody liked him, because of his wickedness. He was
wicked to old men and women. By pretending to be kind he tried to be popular to young men who
lived in that country. When the chief won over young men, they all liked him.
One day, the chief called all the young men and told them, “My friends, don‟t you see?” They
asked, “What?” you should kill all of them. Everybody should kill his father.”
Ah: (that they should kill their fathers). As a result, everybody whose father was old brought him to
be killed. This one went and brought him to be killed. This one went and brought him to be killed, the
other went brought his father to be killed. They killed all the old men, leaving one only.
He was a father of a man who said no. “Why should the chief kill all old men and why would
I send my father to be killed?” He got down and went to dig a large hole and concealed it nicely. He

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 sent his father there, where he had dug. He fetched wood and put it across and coved it with soil,
making a small hole for air to pass through. At that time, they had finished to kill all the old men.
When the chief finished executing them, he then called all the young men. “My friends we
have now finished killing all our old men. This is a cow I am giving to you. I am so happy we have
got rid of these old men, so go and kill the cow. When you have killed the cow, cut the best part of its
meat and bring it to me. If you don‟t bring it, you yourself are not safe.”(That is all right) eh;
The young men rushed out and slaughtered the cow, which is the best part of the meat of a cow?
They were worried
They went and cut the liver and sent it to him. He asked whether or not that was the best part
of the meat. They answered yes. They added part of the bile. He said that wasn‟t the best part of the
meat and they should go and find it quickly. The people became more worried.
Every night the young man secretly took food to his father. One day he took food to his
father, who asked about the news of the town. He said, “My father, now we are suffering. When we
killed all the old men, the chief gave us a cow to go and kill. When we killed the cow, he said we
must both find the sweetest and the best part of the meat and bring to him, that if we do not bring
them, we are not safe ourselves. This is what is worrying us.” The old man laughed, but asked him if
he knew the sweetest part of the meat. He said no. He again asked if he did not know the bitterest
part. He said no. “Then the sweetest and the bitterest is the tongue. When you go, cut the tongue and
sent it to him and say that is the sweetest part of the meat and the bitterest.”
The man rushed home while all the people sat down, undecided about what to do. If
something had not happened they might have thrown the whole meat away and run away. When the
boy arrived he said, “My friends take the tongue of the cow in.” they cut the tongue for him, and he
took it to the chief‟s palace.
He went and threw it down and said, “Chief, see the sweetest part of the meat and the bitterest
part also.”
The chief sat down quietly and finally said, “You did not kill your father. Speak the truth.
You have not killed your father.”
He said, “It is the truth, I didn‟t kill him. When all the other men were killing their own
fathers I went and hid mine.”
He said, “You are the son of a wise old man. The sweetest and the bitterest part of a meat is
the tongue. As for that all these young men are fools. Why should somebody send his father to be
killed? But if you want the sweetest part of the meat, find the tongue, were it not for your tongue, you
would not have an enemy: it is also because of your tongue that you will not have a friend.”

1. Classify the above narrative

2. State any two characteristics of oral narratives present in the narrative above
3. Identify and discuss any two characteristics traits of the chief and any one character of the
young man (who didn‟t kill the father)
4. Explain any moral lesson that can be learned from this narrative
5. Give one economic activity practices by the community from which this narrative
was taken
6. Identify any two styles in the oral narrative
7. Why do you think the chief wanted all the old men to be killed?

6. Read The Poem Bleow And Answer The Questions Below:

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on, cause I know I don‟t belong here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?

Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
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 I‟ll find my way through night and day, cause I know I can‟t just stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break the heart; have you „begging‟ “please” „begging‟ “please”
Beyond the door there‟s peace, I‟m sure
And I know there will be no more tears in heaven.
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would you be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on, cause I know I don‟t belong here in heaven.
„Cause I know I don‟t belong here in heaven.

a) What is the subject matter of this poem? Illustrate your answer

b) Identify and illustrate the feature of style evident in stanza three
c) Give and illustrate two examples of the persona‟s statements to illustrate his attitude
of admiration
d) What is the implication of rhetorical questions beings set in conditional tenses?
e) What is the personas imagination of life in heaven? f)
In note form, give the main item of the last stanza
g) Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in the poem
i) Hold my hand…… -
ii) Break the heart……
iii) No more tears………

7. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:-
*UGU* You see that Benz sitting at the rich‟s end?
Ha! That Motoka is Motoka.
It belongs to the minister for fairness
Who yesterday was loaded with doctorate
At Makerere with whisky and I don‟t know what
Plus I hear the literate thighs of an undergraduate.

You see those market women gaping their mouths?

The glory of its inside has robbed them of words
I tell you the feathery seats the gold steering
The TV the radio station the gear!
He can converse with all the world presidents
While driving in the back seat with his darly
Between his legs without the driver seeing a thing!
Ha! Ha! Ha!

Look at the driver chasing the children away

They want to see the pistol in the door pocket
Or the button that lets out bullets from the machine
Through the eyes of the car – Sshhhhhhhhh
Lets not talk about it.

But I tell you that Motoka can run

It sails like a lijato, speeds like a swallow
And doesn‟t know anyone stupid on its way
The other day I heard
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 But look at its behind, that mother of twins!
A-ah That Motoka is Motoka.

You just wait, I‟ll tell you more

But let me first sell my tomatoes
(By THEOLUZUKA)

(a) Who is the persona?

b) Briefly explain what the poem is all about.
c) Identify any two stylistic devices used in the poem.
d) Explain the character of the market women as portrayed in the poem.
e) Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem.
i) Ha! That Motoka is Motoka.
ii) The glory of its inside has robbed them of the words.
iii) But look at its behind, that mother of twins. *UGU*
f) Describe the tone of the poem and comment on the persona’s attitude towards the
minister for fairness.
g) Identify the economic activity of the people portrayed in this poem.

8. Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow:-
AFTER A WAR
The outcome? Conflicting rumours
As to what faction murdered
The one man who, had he survived
Might have ruled us without corruption
Not that it matters now:
We‟re busy collecting the dead
Counting them, hard though it is
To be sure what side they were on
What‟s left of their bodies and faces
Tells of no need but for burial
And mutilations was practiced
By right, left and centre alike
As for the children and women
Who knows what they wanted
Apart from the usual things?
Food is scarce now, and men are scarce
Whole villages burnt to the ground
New cities in disrepair
The war is over, somebody must have won
Somebody will have won. When peace is declared

(a) According to the poem, what are the consequences of war?

(b) What techniques has the poet employed and what are their effects?
(c) What is the poet‟s attitude towards war?
(d) Explain the meaning of the following lines:-
(i) Food is scarce now, men are scarce*KSW*
(ii) Whole villages burnt to the ground
(e) From the poem, why would you say that war is a no win situation?
(f) What‟s the mood of the poem?
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9. Read the oral narrative below and answer the questions that follow:
Why Zebra has stripped skin
Long ago, man tamed only the dog. Before he started taming any other animal, it was said that
the donkey could also be tamed. This story came from one hunter.
One day while hunting, this hunter killed a large animal, which was too heavy for him to carry
along. So, as he wondered how to carry his kill he saw a donkey pass nearby and an idea came to his
mind. “Why not place this carcass on the donkey so that it can help me?” he wondered. He did not
know what would happen if he tried this because the donkey was also a wild animal. Nevertheless he
decided to try.
So he followed the donkey and luring it with sweet words and grass, the donkey allowed him
to place his load on its back without resistance. He then led the way until they arrived home. After
unloading the donkey, he gave it more grass and some water. It ate and drunk and appeared happy.
From that day, the donkey never left the hunter‟s homestead; and he gave the donkey food and drink
daily. The donkeys multiplied and there were many donkeys in this homestead, all helping the hunter
to carry his loads. Soon, the story went round that somebody had tamed a donkey, which he was
using as a beast of burden. Villagers came to see for themselves and they were impressed with the
way the hunter‟s donkeys were working. Having satisfied their curiosity, they also went out into the
wild to look for donkeys to tame. The donkey became a famous beast of burden in the whole village
and beyond, carrying all the heavy loads that men and women could not even lift with assistance.
As all this was happening, the donkeys which were left in the wild did not know what was
going on. They would only see their friends go away with men and women never to return. They
came to understand that they had been deserted only after most of their friends had been taken away.
The few who were left started to hide deep in the woods to avoid any contact with human beings. But
their efforts to hide were all in vain! Human beings had realized that donkeys were very useful
animals. So they made every possible effort to catch them even from deep in the forest.
This problem disturbed the wild donkeys. Many of their kind had been captured by human
beings. The rumours spreading around were that the captured ones were made to work very hard with
only little food, since there was no time to graze, while those left in the wild grazed the whole day
and even during the night.
Indeed, this was frightening. The rest of the donkeys decided to act quickly, lest they too be
captured. They called a meeting at which they discussed what should be done to stop the movement
of donkeys into people‟s homes. When the meeting came to a stalemate, one donkey suggested that
they should seek help from Hare since he was known to be cunning and clever. All agreed to seek
advice from Hare.
The next morning, the donkey representative went to Hare. Hare was only too willing to help.
Therefore Hare asked him to tell all his friends to come to his compound early the next morning.
They agreed. When they arrived, they found Hare with whitewash in a large bucket and a brush in his
hand. They were all at a loss as to know how this whitewash was going to help them. When they
enquired, Hare attempted to explain but they could not understand.
So Hare asked one of them to volunteer for a demonstration but none wanted to. Then Hare
approached one old donkey and whispered in its ear saying, “Once you have been painted, you will
not be a donkey any more and human beings will not take you away.” The old donkey said, “I will
volunteer because if the human beings take me and put loads on my back, I will die.” So the Hare
quickly started painting stripes of whitewash on this donkey. Soon, the entire body of the donkey was
filled with white and grey stripes. When the other donkeys looked at the painted donkey, they
admired it and some wanted to be painted. But others came to the painted donkey and it whispered
something in their ears. So they rushed and crowded around Hare and although he warned them that
they had to be careful with the whitewash, they did not heed his warning. They jostled, pushed,
fought and even bit each other in the struggle to be the next one to be painted. It was during this
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 struggle to be painted that one donkey toppled the bucket containing the whitewash, pouring the
entire contents on the grass from where it could not be recovered. The donkeys that had been painted
remained in the forest because human beings did not capture them for they looked different from the
domesticated ones. The striped donkeys changed their name from donkey to Zebra. All the ones that
remained unpainted after the whitewash were captured by the human beings and taken to their homes
to labour for them up to this day. And there ends my story.
(Adapted from Kenya Oral Literature Narratives, A selection edited by
Kavetsa Adagala
and Wanjiku .M. Kabira. East African Educational Publishers.)

. (a) Classify , with reasons, this story

(b) Identify and illustrate the following:-
(i) One economic activity
(ii) One social activity.
(c) Explain the use of personification in this narrative
(d) What was the agenda of the meeting held by the donkeys?
(e) What is the attitude of the donkeys towards the Hare?
(f) What were the consequences of the donkey‟s struggle to be painted?
(g) Apart from personification, what other features of oral narratives have been used in this story
(h) Explain the character of the donkeys in the 2nd last paragraph
(i) Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions as used in the story
(i) Beast of burden........
(ii) Demonstration.....
(iii) Toppled.......................

10. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow
SYMPTOMS OF LOVE
Love is a universal migraine,
A bright stain on the vision
Blotting out reason.
Symptoms of true love
Are leanness, jealousy,
Laggard dawns;

Are omens and nightmares-

Listening for a knock.
Waiting for a sign:

For a touch of her fingers

In a darkened room,
For a searching look

Take courage, lover!

Could you endure such pain
At any hand but hers?
(Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry and Drama, McGraw-Hill, 2000)

Questions
a) Identify the persona in the poem (2 mks)
b) What is the persona‟s attitude towards love? (Explain) (3 mks)
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 c) Describe the tone of the poem with evidence from it (3 mks)
d) Identify and explain any three figures of speech used in the poem (6 mks)
e) Describe the mood of the poem citing evidence to support your answer (3 mks)
f) Explain the rhetorical question at the end of the poem (2 mks)
g) Explain the meaning of each of the following expressions as used in the poem
i) Migraine
ii) Laggard dawn’s
iii) Searching look

11. Read the following oral poem and answer the questions that follow:-
Don‟t cry baby
Sleep little baby
Father will nurse you
Sleep baby sleep

Little bird flitting away to the forest so fast

Tell me, little bird, have you seen her
Have you seen my crying baby‟s mother?

She went to the river at early dew

A pot upon her head
But down the water floats her pot
And the path from the river is empty

Shall I take him under the palm?

Where the green shade rests at noon?
Oh no, no
For the thorns will prick my baby
Shall I take him under the giant baobab
Where the silk cotton plays with the wing?

Oh no, no
For the termite- eaten bough will break
And crush my little baby
My little sleeping baby
The day is long and the sun grows hot
So, sleep, my little baby, sleep
For mother is gone to a far, far land- Alas!
She is gone beyond the river.

a) Give four features which prove that the above oral poem is a lullaby
b) Identify and illustrate the two speakers in the poem
c) Why is the singer hesitant to take the baby under the shade?
e) Identify and illustrate any two characteristics of oral poems evident in the above poem
f) What is the singer‟s attitude towards the baby?
g) Comment on social organization of the people in the community where this song was collected

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14. Read the following oral poem and answer the questions that come after it:

The earth does not get fat,

It makes an end of those who wear the head plumes,
We shall die on the earth
The earth does not get fat. It makes an
end of those who act swiftly as heroes
Shall we die on the earth?

Listen O earth. We shall mourn because of you,

Listen O earth. We shall die on the earth?

The earth does not get fat. It makes an end of chiefs

Shall we all die on the earth?
The earth does not get fat.
It makes an end of the women chiefs
Shall we die on earth?

The earth does not get fat. It makes an end of the royal women
Shall we die on earth?

Listen O earth. We shall mourn because of you.

Listen O earth. We shall die on the earth?

The earth does not get fat. It makes

an end of the beasts.
Shall we die on the earth?

Listen you who are a sleep, who are

left tightly closed in the land.
Listen you who are asleep, who are left tightly closed in the land.
Shall we all sink into the earth?
Listen O earth, the sun is setting tightly.
We shall all enter into the earth
(Source: Akivaga.K and Odaga A.B, Oral Literature: A school certificate course)

a) Classify this song and give reasons for your classification

b) What is the subject matter in this song?
c) Identify and comment on two features of style that are characteristic of songs
d) Describe the attitude of the singer to the subject he/she is singing about
e) What social belief is brought out in this song?
f) Explain the meaning of the following lines :-
i) The earth does not get fat
ii) We shall all enter into the earth
iii)…… who are tightly closed in the land.

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13. Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow

I SHALL RETURN
I shall return, I shall return again
To laugh and love and watch with wonder eyes
At garden noon the forest fires burn,
Wafting their blue black smoke to sapphire skies
I shall return to loiter by the streams
That bathe the brown blades of bending grasses,
And realize once more my thousand dreams
Of waters rushing down the mountain passes
I shall return to hear the fiddle and fife
Of village dances, dear delicious tunes
That stir the hidden depths of native life
Stray melodies of the dim-remembered tunes
I shall return, I shall return again
To ease my mind of long, long years of pain
(Claude McKay)

(a) Explain briefly what the poem is about (3mks)

(b) In NOTE form, identify four things which the persona is longing to return to (4mks)
(c) With illustration from the poem, identify and illustrate any three stylistic devices
used in the poem (6mks)
(d) What is the tone of the poem? Illustrate your answer (2mks)
(e) In what kind of environment is the persona living? Explain your answer (2mks)
(f) What specific name is given to the poems with one stanza and fourteen lines as
one above?
(g) What is the name given to the last two lines ending in similar sound? (1mk)

14. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
POETRY:- OUT CAST

They met by accident So they had to separate

He proposed the idea The boy remains illegitimate.
She gave her consent
All the way to the alter. Last month not long ago
They both took their go
The casualty was male Coincidentally by accident
And his pigment was pale Nothing to inherit.
Unlike his alleged sire
Who was black with Ire The poor boy is hardly ten
And knows no next of kin
The recourse was legitimate He roams the street of town.
He declaimed responsibility Like a wind sown outcast.
So they had to separate
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 The boy remains illegitimate.

a) Who is the persona in this poem? (2 mks)

b) What is the message in the poem? (4 mks)
c) Comment on any three stylistic device used in the poem. (6 mks)
d) What is the persona‟s attitude towards the ”they?” (2 mks)
e) Comment on the last stanza. (3 mks)
15. Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow:

The inmates
Huddled together,
Cold biting their bones,
Teeth chattering from the chill,
The air oppressive,
The smell offensive
They sit and they reflect.

The room self-contained,

At the corner the gents‟ invites
With the nice fragrance of ammonia,
And fresh human dung,
The fresh inmates sit thoughtfully.

Vermin perform a guard of honour,

Saluting him with a bite here,
And a bite there,
Welcome to the world‟ they seem to say.

The steel lock of the door,

The walls insurmountable
And the one torching torturous bulb
Stare vacantly at him.
Slowly he reflects about the consignment
That gave birth to his confinement
Locked in for conduct refinement
The reason they put him in the prison.

The clock ticks

But too slowly
Five years will be a long time
Doomed in the dungeon
In this hell of a cell.

(a) What is the attitude of the speaker towards the fresh inmate? (4mks)
(b) Explain the atmosphere created through description in the poem (4mks)
(c) Why is the fresh „inmate in prison? (2mks)
(d) Identify and explain any three stylistic devices in the poem (6mks)
(e) Explain the mood of the new convict (2mks)
(f) Explain the meaning of the following line:
„Locked in for conduct refinement (2mks)

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16. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow: (20mks)
THE FOOLISH OLD MAN
My father began as a god
Full of heroic tales
Of days when he was young
His laws were as immutable
As if brought down from Sinai
which indeed he thought they were.
He fearlessly lifted me to heaven
By a mere swing to his shoulder
And made me a godling
By seating me astride
Our milk cow‟s back and too,
Upon the great white gobbler.
of which others went in constant fear.

Strange then how he shrank and shrank

Until by my time of adolescence
He had become a foolish small old man
with silly and outmoded views
of life and morality.

Stranger still
that as I became older
his faults and his intolerances
scatted away into the past
revealing virtues
such as honesty, generosity, integrity.

Strangest of all
how the deeper he recedes into the grave
the more I see myself
as just one more of the little men
who creep through life
no knee – high to this long-dead god.
(Ian Mudie)

(a) Briefly comment on the theme of the poem (4mks)

(b) Comment on the suitability of the tittle of the poem (3mks)
(c)What is the attitude of the persona towards his father? (3mks)
(d) Identify and explain any three stylistic devices used in the poem (6mks)
(e) What do the following groups of people learn from the poem?
(i) Parents. ……………… (ii) Children………
(f) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the poem. (2mks)
Immutable…………… Outmoded……………………

17 . ORAL LITERATURE
Read the story below and then answer the questions which follow:-
When she is the only one at the foot of the mortar-stones the hen only scratches with one paw.
For she has, so she thinks, plenty of time to choose her grains for corn.

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 Ponda certainly was not the only girl in M‟badane, but she had only to appear for the most
beautiful, and far from being fastidious and difficult to please as might have been expected, she was
only too anxious to find a husband, as she was afraid of growing into an old maid, for she had already
turned sixteen. On their side suitors were not lacking: every single day her girl-friends‟ brothers and
fathers, young men and old men from other villages, sent griots and dialis bearing gifts and fine
words to ask her hand in marriage.
If it had only depended on herself Ponda would certainly by now have a baby tied on her
back, either good, or bad-tempered and crying. But in the matter of marriage, as in all things a girl
must submit to her father‟s will. It is her father who must decide whom she is to belong to: a. Prince,
a rich dioula or a common badolo who sweats in the field in the sun; it is for her father to say it he
wishes to bestow her on a powerful marabout or an insignificant talibe.
Now Mor, the father of Ponda had demanded neither the immense bride-price of a rich man,
nor the meager possession of a badolo; still less had he thought of offering his daughter to a marabout
or to a marabout‟s disciple in order to enlarge his place in paradise. Mor simply told all those who
come to ask for his daughter, whether for themselves, for their masters, for their sons or for their
brothers:
“I will give Ponda without demanding bride-price or gifts, to the man who will kill an ox and
send me the meat by the agency of a hyena; but when it arrives not a single morsel of the animal must
be missing.”
That was more difficult than making the round-cared Narr-the-Moor keep a secret. It was
more difficult than entrusting a calabash full of honey to a child and expect him not to even dip his
little finger in. You might as well try prevent the sun from leaving his home in the morning or retiring
to bed to the end of the day. You might as well forbid the thirsty sand to drink the first drop s of the
first rains. Entrust meat to Bouki-the-Hyena? You might as well entrust a pot of butter to a burning
fire. Entrust meat to Bouk and prevent her from touching it.
But how can you entrust meat; even dried meat to a hyena, and prevent her to touch it? It was
an impossible task, so said the griots as they ended their way home to their masters: so said the
mothers who had come on their sons‟ behalf, so said the old men who had come to ask for the
beautiful Ponda for themselves.
A day‟s walk form M‟Badane lay the village of N‟diour. The inhabitants of N‟Diou were by
no means ordinary folk‟ they were, or so they believed, the only men and the only women since
earliest times to have tamed the double hyenas, with whom in fact they lived in perfect peace and
good understanding. It is true that the people of N‟Diour did their share to maintain these good
relations.
Every Friday they killed a bull which they offered to Bouki-the-Hyena and her tribe. Of all
the young men of N‟Diour, Birane was the best at wrestling as well as working in
the fields, he was also the most handsome. When his griot brought back presents that Mor had
refused, and told him the conditions which Ponda‟s father had laid down, Birane said to himself:
“I shall be the one to win Ponda for my bed,” He killed an ox, dried the meat, and put it in a goatskin;
the skin was enclosed in a coarse cotton bag and the whole thing placed in the middle of „a truss
straw.
On Friday, when Boruki came with her family to partake of the offering given by the people
of N‟Diou Birane went to her and said, „My griot, who has no more sense than a babe at the breast
and who is as stupid as an ox has brought the fine gifts that I sent to Ponda, the daughter of Mor of
N‟Badane. I am certain that if you, whose wisdom is great and whose tongue is as honey, took this
simple truss of straw to N‟Badane to the house of Mor you would only need to say, “Birane asks for
your daughter, “for him to grant her to you”.
“I have grown old, Birane, and my back is no longer very strong, but N‟Bar, the oldest of
my children, is full of vigour and he has inherited a little of my wisdom. He will go to N‟Badane
for you, and I am sure that he will acquint himself well of your mission.”

PSE
 M‟Bar set off very early in the morning, the truss of straw on his back. When the dew
moistened the truss of straw the pleasant Odour of the meat began to float in the air. M‟bar-thehyena
stopped, lifted his nose sniffed to the right, sniffed to the left, then resumed his way, a little less
hurriedly it seemed. The smell grew stronger, the Hyena stopped again, bared his teeth, thrust his
nose to the right, to the left, into the air, then turned round and sniffed to the four winds. He resumed
his journey, but now hesitating all the time, as if held back by this penetrating, insistent smell which
seemed to come from all directions.
Not being able to resist it any longer, M‟Bar left the track that led from N‟Diour to N‟Badane,
made huge circling detours in the veld, ferreting to the right, ferreting to the left continually retracing
his steps, and took three whole days instead of one to reach N‟Badane.
N‟Bar was certainly not in the best of tempers when he entered Mor‟s home. He did not wear
the pleasant expressions of a messenger who comes to ask a great favour. This smell of meat that
impregnated all the grass and all the bushes of the veld and still impregnated the huts of N‟Bedane
and the courtyard of Mor‟s home, had made him forget on the „way from N‟Diour all the wisdom that
Biouki had instilled into him, and stilled the gracious words that one always expects from a
petitioner. M‟Bar scarcely even unclenched his teeth to say: Assalamou aleyokoum!” and nobody
could even hear his greeting; but as he threw down the truss of straw from his back had bent under its
weight, he muttered in a voice that was more than disagreeable, „Bitane of N”Diour sends you this
truss of staw and asks for your daughter. Under the very eyes of M‟Bar the Hyena, first astonished,
then indignant, then covetous Mor cut the liana ropes that bound the truss of a straw, opened it up and
took out the bag of coarse cotton; from the coarse cotton bag of he took out the goat-skin and from
the goatskin the pieces of dried meat.
„Go‟, „Mor, said to M‟Bar-the-hyena, who nearly burst with rage at the sight of all that meat
he had unsuspectingly earned for three days, and which was spread out, there without his being able
to touch a single bit. (for the folk of N‟Badane were not like the inhabitants of N‟Diour, and in
M‟Badane hunting spears were lying all round). „Go,‟ said Mor, „go and tell Birane that I give him
my daughter. Tell him that he is not only the most spirited and the strongest of all the young men of
N‟Diour, but he is also the shrewdest.
He managed to entrust meat to you, hyena, he will be able to keep a sharp watch on his wife
and outwit all tricks.‟

a) What type of oral narrative is this?

b) State one economic activity of the community from which the story is taken.
c) What two aspects of Birane‟s character come out in this story?
d) What moral lesson do we learn from this narrative?
e) Identify two significant devices used in this narrative and comment on their
effectiveness
f) Identify three aspects of social life in the community from which the oral narrative is set

18. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.

“SYMPATHY”
I know what the caged bird feels, alas !
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opens,
And the faint perfume from its petals steals-
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 I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing

Till its blood is red on the cruel bans;
For he must fly back for his perch and cling
When he rather would be on the branch a – swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting –
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,

When his wing is bruised and his blossom sore,
When he beats his bars and would be free;
It is not a song of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart‟s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings –
I know why the caged bird sings !
(Adapted from the poem by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
In American Negropoetry, edited by Arna Bontemps.
New York: Hill and Wang, 1974)

(a) Explain briefly what the poem is about .

(b) What does the poet focus on in each of the three stanzas? Give your answer in note form.
(c) How would you describe the persona‟s feelings towards the caged bird?
(d) What can we infer about the persona‟s own experiences?
(e). Identify a simile in the first stanza and explain why it is used.
(f). Explain the meaning of the following lines:
(i) “And the faint perfume from its petals steals”.
(ii) “And they pulse again with a keener sting “

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GRAMMER QUESTIONS
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 SECTION D - GRAMMAR
1. a) Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the brackets
i) He……………….……(flung/flang) the mud onto the wall.
ii) The murderer was………………………..(hung/hunged) for his crime.
iii) The leader…………………..(dealt/dealed) the cards out to the players briskly.
iv) The boy…………………….….(leaped/lept/leapt) across the ditch
v) She………………………...(bore/borne) the burden patiently

b) Complete the passage below with the most appropriate word from the list given:
(breath, breathe, cloth, clothe, bathe, bath)
Namboka felt dizzy and she took a walk so as to…….. fresh air. It was while walking
that she noticed that her ……………as smelling badly. She went to her room, brushed her
teeth and decided to……………… her sweaty body. She put…………… water in a basin,
undressed and then wrapped herself with a clean……………before going to clean her body.
After five minutes, she emerged clean and put on her best……………

c) Supply the missing prepositions in the following sentences:-

i) Opemi has a great passion………………………….….. debtors
ii) My mother prohibited me……………………………... talking to strangers
iii) Walukanga was born…………………..… humble and God fearing parents
iv) The head dress of Acoli is similar……………. that of the Luo.

2. (a) (i) I am sure it was an exciting experience for her (Rewrite the sentence using ‘must’)
(ii) People always want more; it doesn‟t matter how rich they are
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘however’)
(iii) The boy jumped from school to school every year. (Rewrite to end with school)
(b) Give the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expressions in the sentence
(i) There was no love lost between the two friends
(ii) The President and Prime Minister resolved to bury the hatchet.
(c) Change the following to direct speech
(i) Jumping and clapping, the Pastor remarked that Jesus was on his way
(ii) The Prefect said that the student was absent the previous day.
(d) Using the verb in brackets, form a phrasal verb to replace the underlined word
(i) The workers felt that the management despised them (look)
(ii) It takes a lot of challenge to nurture a child into an adult (bring)
(iii) The politicians dirty tricks did not succeed (come)
(e) Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate form of the word in brackets
(i) The boy said that he was (true) ______________in love.
(ii) The _____________ (maintain) of the vehicle is quite expensive.
(iii) She was quite ________________ (gratitude) for the honour bestowed on her.
(f) Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate preposition
(i) Tom agreed ____________Lona‟s idea of punishing the culprit
(ii) The performers feel indebted _______________the school for the use of the hall

3 a) Identify, underline and correct the four words that have been mis-spelt in the paragraph
below:-
b) Rewrite the following sentences as instructed
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 i)The UN security council has declared Sudan a failed state (begin Sudan……….)
ii) Please sit down …… (add a question tag)
iii) The boy is very foolish. He believes everything I tell him. (Rewrite as 1 sentence using enough to)
c.) Replace the underlined words with a suitable phrasal verb
i) I was completely deceived by the confident trickster
ii) The first thing my uncle did on leaving prison was to visit us
iii) He tried to disguise himself as a beggar but his soft, clean hands betrayed him
iv) Please submit your scripts at the end of the exam
d) Use the correct form of the words given in brackets
i) The husband tried to restrain his…..........................wife (aggression)
ii) Such a policy can………………………..….. (Danger) the poor
iii) The guest of honour was given a………….. (Tumult) welcome by the waiting crowd
iv) (Literate)………………… means the state of being unable to read and write.

4. a) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the word in brackets
i) Has the motor boat…………………………………….in the lake. (sink)
ii) The company has employed a specialist for the…………………….of its machine. (maintain)
iii) Uganda is contending against the………………..of Kenyan goods in the markets. (dominate)
iv) In Kenya……………………….…….elections are usually hotly contested. (mayor)
b) Rewrite the following sentences by replacing the underlined verbs with appropriate phrasal verb
i) You need to reduce the expenses. - Cut down
ii) He asked Alice to marry him but she rejected him. -Turned him down
iii) It is not good to desert one‟s family. - Walk out on
c) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instruction given after each
i) If he is not ill, he will come (rewrite using ‘provided’)
ii) Joan has several friends. All of them are ballet dancers. Her mother is the president of our judo club.
(Combine into one sentence using relative pronouns)
iii) The principal asked me to see him the following day. (Change into direct speech)
iv) The visitor treads on the carpet with his muddy shoes. (Write in the past tense)
d) Explain the difference in meaning in these pairs of sentences :
a) Harry, our elder brother, has arrived.
Harry, our elder brother has arrived.

b) My uncle stopped to drink.

My uncle stopped drinking.

5. 1. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instruction given

i) Omondi is a weak student. He can hardly write meaningfully. (Rewrite as one
sentence using, “such…………)
ii) One of my cousins has gone to the USA. (Begin, A cousin……..)
iii) Jane has been writing a composition. (Change in to a passive voice)
2. Replace the underlined word with phrasal verb formed from the verbs given in brackets
i) I have left the relationship because my boyfriend is unfaithful. (Walk)
ii) My father scolded me because I had not done the assignment (tell)
3. Supply the correct question tag
i) Let us go to school……………................
ii) Stand up……........................……..
4. Use the correct form of the word given in brackets
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 i) The maid.......................................…..(hang) the blouse on the cloths line yesterday.
ii) It…………(cost)our school a lot of money to sponsor drama up to the nationals level
last year.
iii) We could not…………… ..................................(large) the portrait any further.
iv) You can‟t……….................... (Prison) a child below fifteen years of age for truancy.
5. Change the following to direct speech or indirect speech accordingly
(i) The stranger asked my mother where my father had gone (direct speech)
ii) “We shall meet again next week,” said the chairperson(indirect speech)
6 i) The following idiom is wrongly stated, rewrite it correctly
Ibrahim doesn‟t struggle at all. He expects to get everything on a silver plate
ii) Explain the meaning of the idiom underlined in the sentence below
Why are you quick to fly off the handle at me? said Dr Stockmann,

6. a) Fill in the spaces with the correct form of the word in brackets
i) All……...........….......... (pay) are supposed to count their money before they leave the bank
ii) His………….................…........................... (pronounce) did not make sense to the audience.
iii) Jane has a ……………...................................................... (wool) jacket

b) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions after each. Do not change the
meaning of the original sentence
i) He managed to persuade her to go (Begin: He succeeded………..)
ii) Silence is necessary in the library (Begin: You must………….)
iii) Rimau has always strongly supported the college football team (use: staunch)
c) Replace the underlined word in each of the following sentences with an appropriate phrasal verb
i) The presidential jet will land at 7.30am.
ii) The young man fabricated the story just to save himself from the angry crowd.
iii) After a heated argument, the students decided to check the meaning of the word from the
oxford dictionary.
d) Use one word to replace the underlined ones without changing the meaning
i) The magistrate found him guilty of failure to fulfill his part of the contract……..
ii) The doctor concluded that the boy died when he was deprived of air
iii) My brother was among the group of actors performing, “an enemy of the people”
e) Rewrite the following sentences correcting all the errors
i) He is looking for an employment in Nairobi
ii) This exercise comprises of rigorous training in the morning
iii) Sometimes last year, we agreed to improve our relationship with our neighbours

7. a) Rewrite the following as instructed.

i) The mother cannot take credit for it and neither can the daughter.
(Rewrite beginning: Neither…………….)
ii) Karendi is the …………… of the twins. (Use pretty in its correct form)
iii) The warrior was mutilated by the lion..............(He is recuperating from the attack)
b) Use the correct form of the words in brackets to complete the following sentences.
i) Due to lack of proper diet, Atieno‟s child is ……………..……. (nourish).
ii) Tuju is one man whose ………………………………(pronounce) is superb.
iii) Wanja is a very……….… (discipline) student, no wonder she is always punished.
c) Replace the underlined words with the most appropriate phrasal verbs formed from the

PSE
 words in brackets.
i) The brothers do not agree in principles. (Get)
ii) He refused to withdraw the injurious words on his opponent. (Take)
iii) Marion despises her step sister because she is illiterate from the (look).
d) Arrange the adjectives in brackets to fill in the gap in each sentence.
i) He bought ………… dress as a Christmas gift for his mother. (large, cotton, blue, pretty.)
ii) The ………… man is the king‟s only heir. (light skinned, handsome, young, short
iii) Let us take a seat at the…………………………(oval beautiful, mahogany) table
e) Use the verbs in brackets to form correct idiomatic expressions to complete each of the
sentences below:
i) Although Peter and John are brothers, they never quite ………………….. (see).
ii) The maize scandal case is certainly a………(crack) because there seems no headway.
iii) When someone habitually steals he will one day ……………………………(face).

8. (a) Re-write the following sentences according to instructions. Do not change the meaning
(i) Even if the board does not meet, I will present my complaint.
Begin; Whether...............................................................................................................
(ii) She opened the gate. Darkness fell. Join into one beginning; Barely
(iii) Either Mary or John have the keys. Correct the sentence
(b) The following sentences are in the active voice. Change them into the passive
(i) Nobody did the work
(ii) The police arrested the thief
(iii) They collect rubbish every Thursday
(c) Punctuate the following sentences correctly:-
(i) alonje said i will return next month
(ii) let us listen to him ivan argued he sounds reasonable”
(d) Use the correct form of the word given in brackets to fill in the gap in each sentence
(i) The dog barked .............................................................(menace)
(ii) Most of the students we come across ..........................................(be) lazy.
(iii) God‟ power is .................................................................(compare)
(e) Re-write the following sentences replacing the bold words with gender sensitive words
(i) She sneaked because the watchman was a sleep.
(ii) The master on duty made me kneel the whole day for making noise in class.
(f) Use appropriate phrasal verbs to replace the underlined words in the sentences below
(i) This child resembles the father.
(ii) The teachers can no longer tolerate John‟s behaviour.
(iii) What a relief that Joan passed all her exams.

9. Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each
(i) Hassan did not complain. He did not report to the police. (Re-write as one sentence
using a conjunction)
(ii) It was my sister who made it possible for my schooling. (Use ‘but for’)
(iii) Ibadan is a very large town in Africa. (Use the superlative degree)

(b) Explain the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expressions:-

(i) Many people in this country live from hand to mouth.
(ii) The manager realized that Mbuthia was a hard nut to crack.

(c) Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate form of the word in the bracket
PSE
 (i) We should give ______________________to our academic work (PREFER)
(ii) His ____________________surprised His Excellency (ELOQUENT)
(iii) People rushed to the street when they heard the ________of the two
lorries.(COLLIDE)
(d) Replace the underline word in each of the following sentences with a phrasal verb:-
(i) The old man died quietly last night.
(ii) We felt completely disappointed by John‟s performance.
(iii) Juma always visits during meals.
(e) Re-write the following sentences correctly:-
(i) The student knocked on the door continuously as the others watched
(ii) The child inflated the balloon too much that it burst
(f) Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate preposition :-
(i) She has lived in Samburu ________________ten years.
(ii) It is improper to hurl abuses ____________people.

10 a) Fill in each of the blank spaces with a phrasal verb which means the same as the word given*
i) The driver ………………………..… (started) the lights and saw the carjackers
ii) Many girls ………………………(leave) school before completing their secondary education
iii) We study till late in the night to ……………………………. (compensate) the lost time
b) Rewrite the following sentences following instructions given in brackets
i) Agnes accepted to marry Abdalla. She did not know he had two other wives already.
(Rewrite as one sentence beginning: Oblivious of ……………..)
ii) “Akinyi why do you always quarrel Edwin?” he asked
iii) He is quite handsome (Begin: How----------)
c) Fill in the following sentences with appropriate linking words
i) She could have improved ………………………..she had listened to her teachers
ii) Weche is rude to his instructor;………………, he is a loving husband and father back home
iii) Students are prone to break rules; ……………., they should be under strict surveillance
and encouraged to do right

d) Rewrite the following sentences correctly

i) If today was Sunday, I would have gone to church
ii) We returned back to school before 7.00 P.M
iii) I wish I was as well prepared for K.C.S.E as you
e) Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate personal pronoun
i) Between you and ……………………..(me/ I) who is taller?
ii) Rose and ……………………………………. (she/ her) left for Nairobi.
iii) The winners are Arendi and………………………….. (her/ she)

11. a) Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions. Do not change the meaning
i) “I don‟t know why she came,” Okoth replied. (Rewrite in reported speech)
ii) Nevele sang this song. (Change into passive)
iii) Peter does not have any money. (Change into affirmative form)
iv) I was not surprised that Nanjendo trekked that far. (Rewrite beginning: That….
b) Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the words in brackets
i) Swiss watches are famous for their ________________ (precise).
ii) Such ______________________ (repeat) serves no purpose.
iii) The ___________________ (clear) of the speech impressed us.
iv) The police said it was a strange __________________(occur)
c) Use an appropriate word to complete each of the following sentences
PSE
 i) She was in great pain ___________ did not complain.
ii) Matumbayi earns his living ___________ selling second hand clothes.
iii) The preacher spoke for hours; _______________I did not get what he was saying
iv) “For ______________ have you brought this food?” Tortoise asked the servers
d) Rewrite the following sentences, inserting all punctuation marks in the correct places
i) the river between the teacher said was Ngugi wa thiongo‟s first novel
ii) tom had one great desire to become a doctor
iii) its pity we have to live on charity he lamented

12. a) Rewrite the following according to the given instructions without changing the meaning
i) It was the first time the school performed well (Begin: Never before…………)
ii) It is better to spend a holiday at the coast than to go overseas,
(Begin: Spending …. Use „preferable‟ in place of better)
iii) Mulwa‟s leg is still in a cast after last month‟s match. He will have to watch the
match from the grandstand (combine into one sentence, using a relative pronoun)
iv) „There‟s a little food left for you in the kitchen.‟ William‟s mother told him.
(Rewrite in indirect speech)
b) Rewrite the following sentences correctly:
i) Jairo is more better educated than Saisi.
ii) He has the tendency of visiting people late hours.
iii) When she came in, it was all calm but all over a sudden the house became noisy.
c) Replace the underlined words with suitable phrasal verbs formed from the words in brackets
i) The latest achievement deserves a celebration (call).
ii) The patient regained consciousness at 2pm (come).
iii) I will work hard to compensate the wasted time (make).
d) Explain the difference in meaning of the following pair of sentences
i) I only heard the news briefly
ii) I only heard the news in brief

e) Fill in the blank spaces with the correct preposition

i) The teacher congratulated him……………………………… his graduation.
ii) No other being can be compared …………………………………. God.
iii) They disagreed…………..………………….… who should be chosen the prefect.

13. (a) Complete each of the following sentences by selecting the correct alternative from
the words in the brackets (5mks)
(i) Our school will move to a new_____________________next year. (cite, site)
(ii) Have you ____________ permission from the teacher? (sought, sort)
(iii) The ___________________store in the city is well-stocked. (stationary, stationery)
(iv) Mary is the _______________ of the two sisters. (tallest, taller)
(v) Neither the teacher nor the cook __________________arrived. (have, has)

(b) Rewrite each of the following sentences as instructed. Do not change the meaning (5mks)
(i) The residents saw the burglar enter the house (Rewrite in the passive voice)
(ii) He drank the water yesterday. (Rewrite beginning: The water was..........)
(iii) As soon as the teams arrived, the competition began. (Rewrite beginning: No sooner...........
(iv) Boys are playful and quick on their feet. They are also curious and like to explore.
(Combine using .................”not only”......................)
(v) The tourist knows some Kiswahili. He understands what I say. (Rewrite as one
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 sentence using.......”enough”.....)

(c) Fill in the blank spaces with an appropriate prepositional phrase made with the
word in brackets (3mks)
(i) They crossed the river __________________a boat. (means)
(ii) _________________the school rules and regulations every student should be in full
school uniform. (Accordance)
(iii) ___________the prefect‟s negligence, he was demoted. (account)
(d) Explain the difference in meaning between these sentences (2mks)
(i) The hawker was selling ten day-old chicks.
(ii) The hawker was selling ten-day old chicks.

14. A) Identify, underline and correct the four words that have been mis-pelt in the in the
paragraph below. (4 mks)
We didn‟t give him the priviledge of representing us on the District Environmental Committee
because he has a tendency of disagreeing either everyone. He embarrasses himself by pretending to
be so knowledgeable.

B. Rewrite the following sentences as instructed. (3 mks)

i) She realized that she had made such a serious blunder. (Rewrite using “what”)
ii) Just in case you change your mind, call this number. (Begin: should ……….)
iii) I don‟t know either of them, (End ……………….. to me)

C. Fill in the blank spaces with the correct preposition. (4 mks)

i) Nyawira, get ……………………. The wet wall immediately!
ii) My sisters and I will share this piece of land………………………………… ourselves.
iii) We wondered if there was need ………………………… such equipment.
iv) Mwela dipped the bucket ……………………………… the well.

D. Use the correct form of nouns given in brackets. (4 mks)

i) These ……………………(student) phones were confisticated.
ii) There are many ………………………(hero) who fought for our independence.
iii) How many ……………………..(editor-in-chief) were invited?.
iv) This must be your ……………………….. (father – in-law) car.

15. (a) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given. Do not change the
meaning. (3mks)
(i) The teacher found out how intelligent Omollo was when he started the discussion
(Begin: It was not………………………………………………
(ii) The prefect forgave Achimo, but only because she apologized
(Begin: If…………………………………………………
(iii) “Congratulations! All the best in all you do!” the principal told the graduands.
(Rewrite in reported speech)

(b) Use the correct form of the verb given in brackets to fill in the blanks in the
following sentences (4mks)
(i) The drama club patron wanted a written __________from the students following their
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 misconduct during the festivals. (apologize)
(ii) Your explanation is based on too many ___________. (presume)
(iii) The government has lost all ____ following the increasing cases of corruption in high
places. (credible)
(iv) Expectant mothers should not do ______________work. (strain)

(c) Rewrite each of the following sentences, replacing the underlined word with a suitable
phrasal verb (3mks)
(i) The suspect confessed after a long interrogation.
(ii) Nyambura rejected Waiyaki‟s proposal for marriage
(iii) Our principal does not tolerate indiscipline

(d) Put the adjectives given in brackets in the correct order to fill in the blank space in
each sentence (2mks)
(i) He bought a _______________dress for his mother (large, cotton, blue, party)
(ii) The ____________________man is the King‟s heir (Light-skinned, handsome, young, short)

(e) Fill in the blank spaces with the correct preposition (3mks)
(i) Every member is entitled ________one acre of land.
(ii) John is very excited __________going to India.
(iii) He has been down ______________malaria for the last three days.

16. (a) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each:- (4mks)
(i) The main is not to blame. The boys are also not to blame. (combine into one
sentence using neither….nor…..)
(ii) He paid the bill and this surprised me. (Re-write the sentence starting with: His….)
(iii) He comes to school late. This has been a concern for many people.
(Join the two using a gerund)
(iv) He won the race. I am not surprised (Begin: That……..)
(b) Replace the underlined words with a suitable phrasal verb (3mks)
(i) I was completely deceived by the thief.
(ii) The teacher ordered the students to submit their scripts at the end of the exam.
(iii) I will visit you if I got time.
(c) Change the following sentences into the passive (3mks)
(i) The organization bore the burden
(ii) The trainee pilot flew the plane.
(iii) Tom is riding the bicycle.
(d) Indicate whether the verb in the following sentences has been used transitively
or transitively. (3mks)
(i) Tomas drives his car every day…………………………………………………………
(ii) The girl wept bitterly……………………………………………………………………
(iii) We have to grow maize every year…………………………………………………
(e) Underline the adjectival phrases on the following sentences (2mks)
(i) Thank you for being so kind.
(ii) My mechanic is quite skillful.
17. a) Complete each of the following sentences by selecting the correct alternative from
the words in the brackets (5mks)
(i) Our school will move to a new_____________________next year. (cite, site)
(ii) Have you ____________ permission from the teacher? (sought, sort)
(iii) The ___________________store in the city is well-stocked. (stationary, stationery)
PSE
 (iv) Mary is the _______________ of the two sisters. (tallest, taller)
(v) Neither the teacher nor the cook __________________arrived. (have, has)

(b) Rewrite each of the following sentences as instructed. Do not change the meaning (5mks)
(i) The residents saw the burglar enter the house (Rewrite in the passive voice)
(ii) He drank the water yesterday. (Rewrite beginning: The water was..........)
(iii) As soon as the teams arrived, the competition began. (Rewrite beginning: No sooner...........
(iv) Boys are playful and quick on their feet. They are also curious and like to explore. (Combine
using .................”not only”......................)
(v) The tourist knows some Kiswahili. He understands what I say. (Rewrite as one sentence
using.......”enough”.....)

(c) Fill in the blank spaces with an appropriate prepositional phrase made with the
word in brackets (3mks)
(i) They crossed the river __________________a boat. (means)
(ii) _________________the school rules and regulations every student should be in full school
uniform. (Accordance)
(iii) ___________the prefect‟s negligence, he was demoted. (account)
(d) Explain the difference in meaning between these sentences (2mks)
(i) The hawker was selling ten day-old chicks.
(ii) The hawker was selling ten-day old chicks.

18. (a). Use the correct form of the word given in brackets to fill in the gap in each sentence.
(i) The _____________of the right of expression in a violation of human rights (den)
(ii) Saving the child from the burning house was a __________________ act. (hero)
(iii) They were asked to ________________________ the alarm (active)
(i).We can control the spread of HIV/AIDS by educating the public
(Begin: The spread of ………………………….………..)
(ii). The man was arrested. His cattle destroyed the maize in the school farm.
(Rewrite as one sentence)
(iii). Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest Mountain in Africa.
(Rewrite using “higher “instead of “highest” )

(b). Fill in the blanks with the correct alternative from the choices given.
(i) Who ______________________ a fire outside my house? (Light/lighted/lit).
(ii) Since the introduction of community policing in our estates _________ of theft have
reduced. (Incidence/incident/incidents)
(iii) An elephant looks after ________________________calf. (it‟s / its)
(c). Rewrite the following sentences to remove gender bias
(i) A professor should give his students opportunities to develop their skills.
(ii) My sister was appointed Chairman of the water project committee,
(iii) The fireman took a long time to arrive at the scene of the accident.
(d). (i) Jomo Kenyatta the first president of Kenya was a great orator. (Punctuate the sentence)
(ii) The teacher of English taught about The Town in Half a Day and Other short stories
(punctuate the title(s) in the sentence)
(iii) Chinua Achebe, wole Soyinka, Babadejo Babafenyi these are some of the renowned
Nigerian writers.
(Punctuate using the dash)

PSE
 SECTION C
{ENGLISH PAPER 3}
COMMONLY KCSE TESTED QUESTIONS
IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION

KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
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KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

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 A - IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION

1. Either
a) Write a composition ending with the words: The events of the previous day left me
challenged to begin a new life
Or
b) Write a composition entitled “Love conquers all”
2. Either
(a) Write a composition to illustrate the saying “Do not count your chicks before they are
hatched”
Or
(b) Write a story ending; “Since then my brother and I have been good friends”

3. IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION (Compulsory)

Either
a) Write a composition beginning “Everybody was very excited, little did we know that at
that moment………….
Or
b) Write a composition to illustrate the saying “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”

4. Either
a) Write a story ending with the following sentence: “……..thank you it was only a nightmare.”
Or
b) Write a composition to illustrate the saying: “A journey of one thousand miles begins with
one step.”
5. Either
(a) Write a composition ending:
................from that day, when ever I see him my heart is filled with bitterness.
or
(b) Write a story to illustrate the proverb: „ Once bitten twice shy.‟
6. Either
a) Write a story beginning:
He steadily walked towards me with a broad, warm smile, but as we shook hands, I realized he was
avoiding eye contact…………….
Or
b) Write a composition to illustrate the saying:
“Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”

7. Imaginative Composition (compulsory)

Either;
(a) Write a story to end with the following sentence:-
…………………If I had known, I would have thought twice before making that statement.
Or;
(b) Write a story to illustrate the following saying:-
You reap what you sow.
8. Either
(a) Write an essay to illustrate the saying: “The early bird catches the worm”.

Or
PSE
 (b) Write a story beginning: There was an air of celebration...
9. Either
(a) Write a composition ending:
................from that day, when ever I see him my heart is filled with bitterness.
or
(b) Write a story to illustrate the proverb: „ Once bitten twice shy.‟

10. Either
a) Write a story ending
I realized that I would never have a second chance in life
Or
b) Write a story to illustrate the following saying
“A tortoise may be slow but he seldom falls”

11. Either
a) Write a story beginning with
“It looked quite easy at first…………………….”
Or
b) Write a story to illustrate the proverb; Too many cooks spoil the broth

12. Either
a) Write a story that illustrate the saying:-a bird in hand is worth two in the bush
Or
b) Write a composition beginning with the sentence:-from the outset one could see that a lot
was a waiting us.
13. Either
(a) Write a composition beginning with the following sentence: „John could not stand up by himself
that particular morning‟
Or
(b) Write a composition on the measures that have been taken in your country to preserve forests

14. Either,
i) Write a composition with the following ending;
………………that experience taught me never to wish to be somebody else. (20mks)
Or:
ii) Write a story to illustrate the saying “You cannot climb the ladder of success with your
hands in the pocket.” (20mks)

15. Either
(a) Write a composition ending “The events of that day will remain printed in my mind for ever.”
Or
(b) Write a composition supporting the statement “Charity begins at home.”

16. Either
(a)Write a composition showing that the strong do not always succeed.
Or
(b) Write a story ending with: I wish I had known earlier.

17. Either
a) Write a story illustrating the saying, „Better to have tried and failed than never to
have tried at all‟
PSE
 Or
b) Write a story with the following beginning:
This was no ordinary day for a child orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Never before had the
future looked…………..

PSE
FATHERS OF NATIONS
KCSE ESSAYS PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
 FATHERS OF NATION ESSAY QUESTIONS
1) Discuss the relevance of the Title ‘Fathers of Nations ‘by
Paul B. Vitta {20 marks}

2) Effective leadership guarantees its people security and

equitable distribution of resources and opportunities,
discuss the irony of this statement basing your arguments
on the novel fathers of nation by Paul B, Vitta
{20 marks}

3) Change implies making either an essential difference often

amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of
one thing for another. Discuss the validity of this
statement drawing examples from fathers of nation by
Paul B Vitta {20 marks}

4) Diss the theme of Betrayal as brought out in the novel

fathers of nations by Paul B. Vitta {20 marks}

5) The novel ‘Fathers of nation’ by Paul B. vitta exposes a

number of incidents of conflict or disagreement. Write a
composition in support of this statement {20 marks}

6) Discuss the following themes as depicted in the novel

a) Loss and Pain {20 marks}
b) Marriage and Family {20 marks}

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 c) Moral Decay/Decadence {20 marks}
d) Corruption/Dishonesty {20 marks}
e) Religion/Religiosity/Piety {20 marks}
f) Poverty/destitution {20 marks}

7) "Change is inevitable in any society." Using illustrations

from Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write an essay to
justify this statement. {20 marks}

8) "Despite the obvious human weaknesses, Abiola is an

adorable man." Making close reference to the novel,
Fathers of Nations by Paul B.
Vitta, write a composition to validate this statement.
{20 marks}

9) "Alienation is not only painful but also stigmatizing." Using

Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta for your illustrations,
write an essay to show the truth of this assertion.
{20 marks}

10) "Conflict and society are inseparable." Using Fathers of

Nations by Paul B. Vitta for illustrations, write a
composition to validate this statement. {20 marks}

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11) "Life is full of ironies." Using illustrations from Fathers of
Nations by
Paul B. Vitta, write an essay to justify this statement.
{20 marks}

12) "Betrayal pervades every level of the society." Basing your

illustrations on Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write a
composition to show the truth of this assertion.
{20 marks}

13) The death of a beloved one can cause intense response.

Basing your argument Paul Vita’s Fathers Nations, discuss
this statement. {20 marks}

14) Write an essay on the disputes that arise in the novel

Fathers of Nations and how each is resolved. {20 marks}

15) Identify and illustrate any stylistic devices Paul B. Vita has
used to tell the story in Fathers of Nations. {20 marks}

16) Write an essay on the disputes that arise in the novel

Fathers of Nations and how each is resolved. {20 marks}

17) A person controlled by a desire for power has no sense of

justice. Drawing your illustrations from Fathers of Nations
by Paul B. Vitta write an essay supporting this statement.

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 {20 marks}
18) Money and desire can change an individual. Basing your
illustrations on Paul Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write an
essay to back up this statement. {20 marks}

19) Betrayal causes pain and strain in society. Using

illustrations from Paul B. Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write
an essay to validate this statement. {20 marks}

20) Professor Kimani and Dr. Afolabi are portrayed as voices

of reason in Fathers of Nations. Basing your illustrations
on Paul B. Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write an essay to
validate this assertion." {20 marks}

21) Rejection can be a source of agony both to ourselves and

society. Using illustrations from Fathers of Nations, write
an essay in support of this statement. {20 marks}

22) Cultures can disintegrate families. Using the marriage of

Dr Afolabi and Pamela in Fathers of Nations, write an
essay on how bad cultures are to marriages. {20 marks}

23) Show how the author has brought out the theme of
poverty and underdevelopment in Fathers of Nations by
Paul B. Vitta.

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24) Discuss the character traits of each of the following as
illustrated in Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta.
{20 marks}

MORE ESSAYS LOADING

WE also have the following guides, essays and excerpts

1. Fathers of nation
2. The Samaritan
3. Silent song and other stories
4. Artist of the floating world
5. Fathers of nation excerpts
6. The Samaritan essays and excerpts

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 PARLIAMENT OF OWLS

KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

Compiled and supplied online by Kenya Educators Consultancy LTD|P.O. Box 00500– 00100, Nairobi
Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
1) "Betrayal pervades every level of the society." Basing your illustrations
on play, Parliament of Owls, by Adipo Sidang, write a composition
to show the truth of this
assertion. (20 marks)

2) Poor choices have a negative impact on our life. How accurate is this
assertion, given that it makes reference to Adipo sidang's play
Parliament of Owls? (20 marks)

3) "Life is full of ironies." Using illustrations from Parliament of Owls,

by Adipo Sidang, write an essay to justify this statement.
(20 marks)

4) Nothing worthwhile is simple. Provide evidence for the statement by

making many allusions to Adipo Sidang's play Parliament of Owls

(20 marks)

5) Briefly discuss the person qualities and the roles of Osogo in the play
Parliament of
Owls by Adipo sidang (20 marks)

6) In most African Countries, misuse of authority is a widespread

occurrence. Validate this claim by focusing your arguments on Adipo
Sidang's play "Parliament of Owls”
(20 marks)
 7) “Repetition is a powerful tool in the art of drama” Basing your
illustrations on play, Parliament of Owls, by Adipo Sidang, write
an essay to show the truth of this statement.
(20 marks)

8) Whether our deeds are good or terrible, life has a way of rewarding us
for them. Provide evidence for this claim by using Adipo Sidang's play
Parliament of Owls. (20 marks)

9) “Money Bags is generally a major character in the play.” With

appropriate illustrations from the play Parliament of Owls by Adipo
Sidang, write an essay showing
the truthfulness of this statement. (20 marks)

10) Discuss how Adipo Sidang' has addressed oppression in the

"Parliament of Owls."
(20 marks)

11) How does Adipo Sidang criticise the expectations society places on
people depending on their gender in the play "Parliament of Owls by
Adipo Sidang" (20mks)

12) ‘Our Greatest enemies are those close to us.’ Support this statement
from Adipo
Sidang’s play "Parliament of Owls" (20 marks)

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13) Discuss the person characteristics and key roles of Oyundi in Adipo
Sidang’s play
"Parliament of Owls" (20 marks)

14) Describe how the dramatist used sycophancy in the play "Parliament
of Owls" by
Adipo Sidang to examine power relations (20 marks)

15) What does the phrase "Parliament of owls" by Adipo Sidang imply
about the cyclical nature of social development and revolution?
(20 marks)

16) Discuss the character traits and key roles of Tel Tel in Adipo
Sidang’s play
“Parliament of Owls” (20 marks)

17) Describe the way the dramatist addresses themes of bias and
discrimination in
“Parliament of Owls” (20 marks)

18) Homour is a basic component in literature used to entertain and

amuse readers, to allow deeper connections to the story, and to
prompt the reader to reflect and perhaps shift how they think. Using
the play, Parliament of Owls, by Adipo Sidang for references, write
a composition justifying this statement. (20 marks)

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19) Expressing emotions, values, or qualities that one does not have or
possess is known as hypocrisy. Justify this claim by making close
references to Adipo Sidang's Parliament of Owls (20 marks)

20) Foreshadowing has been utilized as an accompanying stylistics in the

play parliament of Owls by Adipo Sidang. With Illustrations, write
an essay showing the truthfulness of
this statement. (20 marks)

21) Discuss the person characteristics and key roles of Royal Owl (Tula
Nyongoro) in Adipo
Sidang’s play "Parliament of Owls" (20 marks)

22) In what ways does Adipo Sidang's "parliament of owls" illuminate

the intersections between oppression and cruelty, especially as they
pertain to marginalised populations.
(20 marks)

23) In the absence of Red String in the play, the play would be deficient
and dull. Drawing illustrations from Adipo Sidang's play
"Parliament of Owls", write an essay to justify
this statement. (20 marks)

24) Examine the various forms of cunning shown in Adipo Sidang's play
"Parliament of Owls" and talk about how they affect the story as a
whole. (20 marks)

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25) Talk on how the play "Parliament of Owls" by Adipo Sidang depicts
the battle for social justice and the sufferings of the underprivileged
(20 marks)

26) Nothing good comes easy. Support the statement by closely referring
to the play
Parliament of Owls by Adipo Sidang (20 marks)

27) Play authors and writers use suspense in building tension and
keeping the reader or audience interested in the story or play. Validate
this statement basing your arguments on the play
“Parliament of owls" by Adipo Sidang (20 marks)

28) “The writer's society, just like any other world society, is riddled with
betrayal." Using the play, Parliament of Owls, by Adipo Sidang for
references, write a composition justifying
this statement. (20 marks)

29) Misuse of power is a common phenomenon in most African. Validate

this statement basing your arguments on the play “Parliament of
owls" by Adipo Sidang (20 marks)

30) The Use of Songs by the Adipo Sidang in his play “Parliament of
Owls” has far reaching effects in the play. Validate this statement.
(20 marks)

31) Discuss the character traits and key roles of the following characters
in Adipo Sidang’s play Parliament of Owls:

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a. Socialite Owl (20 marks)

b. Veteran P (20 marks)

c. Ochongorio (20 marks)

d. Arum Tidi (20 marks)

e. Iron Lady (20 marks)

32) Discuss the use of the following stylistics as brought out in the
play Parliament of owls by Adipo Sidang.

a. Flashback (10 marks)

b. Use of Similes (10 marks)

c. Use of Idiomatic Expressions (10 marks)

d. Use of Proverbs and Other Sayings (10 marks)

e. Use of Rhetorical Questions (10 marks)

f. Hyperbole (10 marks)

g. The Use of Songs (10 marks)

h. Soliloquy (10 marks)

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ARTIST OF FLOATING WORLD

KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
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 AN ARTIST OF THE FLOATING WORLD ESSAYS
1. Significant forces make us to retrogressively question our beliefs‟ Support
using illustrations from Kazuo Ishiguro‟ An Artist of the Floating World.
{20 marks}
2. Yearning for reputation and social status can lead someone down to a path
of fear and obsession. Making reference to Ono in the Novel ‘An Artist of
the Floating World’, discuss the validity of this statement. {20 marks}

3. War is a social evil that should be avoided at all costs owing to its adverse
consequences. Validate the statement referring to Kazuo Ishuguro’s novel
An Artist of the Floating World. {20 marks}

4. With illustrations from An Artist of the Floating World, show why Ono is
so upset by his grandson’s pretend games and how this proves that there is
a generational gap. {20 marks}

5. “The memory of the past can lead to a change of lifestyle. With

illustrations from The Artist of the Floating World Validate the above
statement. {20 marks}

6. Discuss the use of Noriko’s marriage negotiation as a means to

drive this novel’s plot forward while revealing Ono’s past. {20 marks}

7. The past can be stubborn. It has a way of coming back to haunt. Drawing
illustrations from Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World, write an essay
to show the truth of this assertion. {20 marks}

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8. War has a way of affecting not only property but also people’s lives.
Drawing examples from the life of Masuji Ono in Ishiguro’s An Artist of
The Floating World, write an essay to show the truth of this statement.

{20 marks}
9. Culture and tradition are at the centre of Ishiguro’s novel An Artist of the
Floating World .
Write an essay in support of this statement. {20 marks}

[Link] may be generational conflict between the young and the old in any
society, but the young have a moral obligation to obey and respect the
elderly. Drawing relevant illustrations from Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist
of the Floating World, write an essay in support of this statement.
{20 marks}

11. ‘’ Our families and relatives play important roles in our lives’’ with
reference to the novel, An artist of the floating world , support the above
statement. {20 marks}

12. The desire to pass family values and reputation from one generation to
another can result in disagreements. Drawing illustrations from Kazuo
Ishiguro's novel, An Artist of the Floating World, write an essay to justify
this assertion. {20 marks}

[Link] Conflicts are dominant in modern society. Basing your

illustrations on An Artist of The floating world, write an essay to validate
this assertion. {20 marks}

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14. Write an essay demonstrating the folly of war with illustrations from An
Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro. {20 marks}

15. Parenting is an intricate affair. Some People are accused of being bad
parents, while others are good. Basing your argument on An Artist of the
Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro, write an essay to ascertain this.
{20 marks}
16. The past can be bizarre, threateningly spilling into the present and the
future. To avert tragedy, sufficient personal effort must be inculcated for a
gratifying future. With illustrations from An Artist of the Floating World
by Kazuo Ishiguro, write an essay to demonstrate this. {20 marks}

17. An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro is a book about culture
and tradition. While some traditions are a community affair in entirety,
others are confined to a specific group. Write an essay to confirm this.
{20 marks}

[Link] are an indispensable part of society. Write a composition to

support this with evidence from An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo
Ishiguro. {20 marks}

19. Write an essay demonstrating the folly of war with illustrations from An
Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro. {20 marks}

20. "political turmoil leads to imperialism among citizens." Basing your

argument on ono in Artist of floating world , validate this statement.
{20 marks}
[Link] an essay to discuss the theme of grief from kazuo Ishiguro's novel "
An artist of the floating world " {20 marks}

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[Link] teachers in “An Artist of the Floating World” have a passionate,
paradoxical relationship to their most gifted students. Discuss{20 marks}

[Link] central storyline of the novel, or at least of its more linear portions,
revolves completely around an engagement. Discuss this statement basing
your illustrations from the novel an Artist of the floating world{20 marks}

24. Memory is unreliable” Show the validity of this statement focusing on

character Ono in the novel The artist of the floating world. {20 marks}

25. Worthiness Is a Matter of Constantly Shifting Perception" Using evidence

from The Novel Artist of the floating world , show the truth of this
statement. {20 marks}

26. 'Sometimes intentions become part of self-delusion" With close reference

from the Novel Artist of the Floating world, show the truth of this
statement. {20 marks}

27. Drawing illustrations from “artist of the floating world",write an essay

about the theme of loyalty {20 marks}

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 A SILENT SONG
KCSE PREDICTIONS

VOLUME 1

A SERIES OF KCSE PREDICTION QUESTIONS

PREPARED BY KNEC EXAMINERS ©

FOR MARKING SCHEMES,

CONTACT
Mr Machuki 0724 333 200/ 0795 491 185
kenyaeducators@[Link]

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Tel: +254724 333 200/ +254795 491 185 |mail: kenyaeducators@[Link]
A SILENT SONG ESSAY QUESTIONS
1) In the face of hopelessness, what matters is the imagined freedom of our souls from

this world of suffering. Using illustrations from the short story, " A Silent Song " by
Leonard Kibera, write an essay in support of this statement. {20 marks}

2) Drawing illustrations from Leonard Kaberia’s A Silent Song prove that our actions

have more impact than what we say. {20 marks}

3) People commit unethical acts as a result of lack of care. Citing illustrations from

Incident in the Park by Meja Mwangi, write an essay to validate this statement.
{20 marks}

4) Drawing illustrations from the story ‘A Silent Song’ by Leonard Kibera, write an

essay demonstrating the plight of people living with disability.

{20 marks}

5) Drawing illustrations from Meja Mwangi's an incident in the park, write an essay to
discuss the problems of urbanization {20 marks}

6) Even in the face of challenges, we need to maintain our principles. Using Vrenker
Pather’s
‘Ninema’, write an essay to support this statement. {20 marks}

7) Write a composition to illustrate effects of human-animal conflict drawing illustrations

from Eric Ng‟maryo‟s „‟ Ivory Bangles‟‟. {20 marks}

8) Basing your argument on ‘The Sins of the Fathers’ by Charles Mungoshi, show how
Rondo’s scars are as a result of his father’s wrongdoings. {20 marks}

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9) Using specific examples from Ng’maryo’s story Ivory Bangles, write an essay to show

that defiance can be a costly affair. {20 marks}

10) Ninema serves as an example of a virtuous woman who should be emulated in the

society. Using illustrations from the short story “Ninema” by Vrenika Pather, discuss
this assertion. {20 marks}
11) War is a social evil that should be avoided at all costs owing to its adverse

consequences Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda

Adiche`s `Ghosts` {20 marks}

12) Using specific examples from Meja Mwangi’s short story, Incident in the park, write

an essay to show that urban life can be uncaring and unjust. {20 marks}

13) Humans are deceitful in nature and can live in pretence before revealing their true

nature. Write an essay in support of this. Use the story The Truly Married by Aboise
Niol. {20 marks}

14) With the growth of cities comes a fair share of challenges. Drawing specific examples

from Meja Mwangi’sAn Incident in the Park, write a composition to show the truth of
this statement {20 marks}

15. With reference to Filemon Liyambo's tale "December', discuss how the characters

thrive in concealing information. {20 marks}

16. With reference to "Talking Money" by Stanley Gazemba, justify the truth of the

statement that Mukidanyi is a classic example of one who shoots himself in the foot
when he does not heed to wise counsel. {20 marks}

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17. Will determination and hard work always triumph over obstacles? Referring to Ninema

in the anthology A Silent Song, explain this statement. {20 marks}

18. "People who live in the street face a lot of challenges." With reference to "The

Neighbourhood Watch" by Remy Ngamije, validate the truth of the given statement.
{20 marks}

19. Using illustrations from the story "Ghosts" by Chimamanda Adichie, write an essay on

the effects of war. {20 marks}

20. Life in urban areas is full of challenges for most people. Support this claim by drawing

clear illustrations from Meja Mwangi's 'Incident in the Park'. {20 marks}

21. "Life in the streets, as a physically challenged beggar, is not a walk in the park" show

the truthfulness of this statement using clear illustrations from Leonard Kibera's 'A
Silent Song' {20 marks}

22. "Every community is governed by its own unique traditions; some are progressive and

others retrogressive: Support this claim using illustrations from 'Ivory Bangles.'
{20 marks}
23. "Do not judge people by the colour their cloaks but by the nature of their actions.'

Show the truthfulness at this stament using illustrations form Abioseh Nicol's . 'The
Truly married woman.' {20 marks}

24. "Failure to heed to good advice can be disastrous," Using illustraions from talking

money by Stanley Gazemba, support this statement. {20 marks}

25. "Fate has a way of punishing or rewarding the victims based on their actions." Support

the above claim using illustrations from Leo Toistoy's 'God sees the truth, but waits.'
{20 marks}

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26. "Many street dwellers show incredible resilience in the face of unspeakable hardships.

Justify this statement using clear illustrations from Renig Nganuje's. 'The
Neighborhood Watch.' {20 marks}

27. " Mental illness affects not only the victims but also the people close to them. Support

this statement using clear illustrations from Filemon Liyambo's 'December.'

{20 marks}
28. "War has devastating effects." Show the validity of this statement using clear

illustrations from Gloria Mwaninga's story 'Boyi' {20 marks}

29. " Greed can blind ones eyes." Justify this statement using illustration from Kevin

Baldeosing's story 'Cheque Mate.' {20 marks}

30. Street life is sometimes the best home for people helpless in the hands of society.

Support this statement using illustrative facts from the A Silent Song by Leonard
Kibera. {20 marks}

31. Marriage is a valued cultural and religious practice in most African communities.
{20 marks}

32. Using relevant illustrations from The Truly Married Woman by Abioseh Nicol, write an

essay in support of this statement. {20 marks}

33. Ninema is a short story about challenges of women in life. By referring to the life of

Ninema, support this assertion. {20 marks}

34. Discuss the theme of religion as brought out in A Silent Song by Leonard Kibera.
{20 marks}
35. Misuse of power leads to regret. Write an essay in support of the statement with

illustrations from A Man of Awesome Power by Naguib Mahfouz. {20 marks}

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36. Godwin Siundu's A Silent Song and Other Stories Misuse of power leads to regret.

Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from A Man of Awesome
Power by Naguib Mahfouz. {20 marks}

37. Discuss the theme of tradition as shown in Ivory Bangles by Eric Ng'maryo.
{20 marks}

38. Ivan Dmitritch's misfortune is as a result of his insatiable obsession/desire. Write an

essay to qualify this statement making reference to God Sees the Truth, but Waits in A
Silent Song and Other Stories. {20 marks}

39. In the face of affliction, faith is essential for man's survival. Write an essay to validate

this statement in reference to Leo Tolstoy s God Sees the Truth, but Waits. {20 marks}

40. Ninema is an admirable character. Support this from Vrenika Pather's 'Ninema'
{20 marks}
41. When one is given power, he/she should use it only for good but more often than not

people use it for wrong purposes. Support this statement basing your argument from
Naguib Mahfouz's 'A Man of Awesome Power' {20 marks}

42. Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with. Show the

truthfulness of this assertion basing on Eric Ng'maryo's 'Ivory Bangles'. {20 marks}

43. War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost. Validate this

statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie's 'Ghosts' {20 marks}

44. Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the

validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi's Incident in the park.
{20 marks}

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45. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations

from Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. {20 marks}

46. Failure to heed advice result to consequences. Discuss the truth of this statement based

on ivory of bangles by Eric Ng'amaryo {20 marks}

47. The society today is filled with many evils that cause suffering to individuals. Discuss

referring to the short story by Chimamanda Adichie, Ghosts {20 marks}

48. People in the society use pretence as a tool to portray a particular image. Discuss this

claim based on Abioseh Nical's The Truly married woman. {20 marks}

49. War ruins both society and the community. Basing your argument from Gloria

mwanga's Boyi, validate this Assertion. {20 marks}

50. People living on the streets apply wisdom in order to survive the difficult conditions.

Write an essay to qualify this statement citing illustrations from Rem'y Ngamije’s the
Neighbourhood Watch. {20 marks}

51. People with admirable traits stand out. Basing your illustrations on Vrenika Pather's

Ninema, write an essay to validate this assertion. {20 marks}

52. Love and friendship is a driving force among members. Discuss this claim using
illustrations from
Sins of fathers by Charles mungoshi {20 marks}

53. Lack of sound judgement results to regrets. Making refence to A man of awesome

power, justify this claim {20 marks}

54. Write an essay to show the relevance of the tittle "Silent song” by Leonard Kibera.
{20 marks}

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55. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations

from Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. {20 marks}

56. In Leonard Kibera's 'IA Silent Song", Mbane's life is one of pain and hopelessness that

death is seen as a welcome relief. Validate the truth of this statement {20 marks}

57. "Parents' attempts to control aspects of their children's lives cause more harm than

good." With reference to Rwafa and Rondo in Charles Mungoshi's story, "The Sins of
the Fathers", discuss the truth of this statement. {20 marks}

58. With reference to Abioseh Nicol's "The Truly Married Woman", discuss how events

have been presented comically. {20 marks}

59. "Ninema is an epitome of a good businessperson that deserves to be emulated."

Validate the given statement, making reference to the story "Ninema" by Vrenika
Pather. {20 marks}

60. "The militia cause untold havoc in the lives of the natives as they subject them to

suffering." Basing your argument on Gloria Mwaninga's story, "Boyi", discuss

{20 marks}

61. In the story, "Incident in the Park", by Meja Mwangi, it can be concluded that luck is

never on a poor man's side. Validate the truth of the statement. {20 marks}

62. In Kevin Baldeosingh's story, "Cheque Mate", we can conclude that money is a tool

that enhances corruption of morals. Discuss. {20 marks}

63. "Bad things happen to good people." With reference to "God Sees the Truth, but Waits"

by Leo Tolstoy, validate the truth of the statement. {20 marks}

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64. Referring to "Ivory Bangles" by Eric Ng'maryo, discuss the aspects of tradition

presented in the story. {20 marks}

65. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Write an essay in support of

this statement, drawing illustrations from the story, "A Man of Awesome Powed' by
Naguib Mahfouz. {20 marks}

MORE ESSAYS LOADING

WE also have the following guides, essays and excerpts
1. Fathers of nation
2. The Samaritan
3. Silent song and other stories
4. Artist of the floating world
5. Fathers of nation excerpts
6. The Samaritan essays and excerpts

KENYA EDUCATORS CONSULTANCY

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