Primary 3 English Ace the Exam with My 24/7 ... - Orlesson.com

Primary 3 English
Ace the Exam with
My 24/7 Personal Tutor
Detailed Explanation of ALL Questions
by Tutor in Virtual Classroom
Consulting Editor: Dr Zhang Yong

© Outreach Edusys Pte Ltd
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accompanying CDROM may be reproduced or
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mechanical, including photocopying, CD duplication,
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First Published 2010
ISBN: 978-981-4275-20-0
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ii

Preface
This book is written to assist pupils in preparing for the Primary 3
English Paper Two examinations. There are a total of 10 specially
crafted examination style papers. The main features of the papers are
as follows.
1. Questions are modelled after examination papers set by top well
known Singapore schools.
2. Questions are crafted to enrich vocabulary and enhance
understanding of English writing and language usage.
This book comes with a multimedia CDROM. The CDROM contains
detailed explanation of every question in each of the papers by our
teacher. These lessons ensure pupils understand the reasons behind
each answer.
Outreach Book Alive series brings the “tuition teacher” to you at zero
cost.
You may also want to try our online programme. These are interactive
“diagnostic” modules consisting of multiple choice questions. The
incorrect options to each question are carefully crafted based on
specific misconception in learners. If your child submit a wrong answer,
our system will dynamically diagnose your child’s problem and provide an
explanation on why the answer is wrong, and what is the correct way to
solve such problems.
Visit http://www.orlesson.org today.
iii

Contents
Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 1 1
Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 2 13
Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 3 26
Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 4 39
Semestral Assessment 1 Paper 5 52
Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 1 64
Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 2 75
Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 3 87
Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 4 98
Semestral Assessment 2 Paper 5 110
Suggested Answers 121
Free Past Year School Exam Papers (from 2004 onwards) for download and
print.
Visit http://www.orlesson.org for links and download instructions.
Subscribe to Outreach Lesson Online Access for hundreds of hours of
lessons, and thousands of questions. Less than 70 cents a days for unlimited
access to ALL subjects. For details, visit http://www.orlesson.org.
iv

Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 1
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
ASIAN ARTS MUSEUM
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 2009
DATE SPONSORS EVENTS
1-15 Jan OCBC Bank Famous movies by wellknown
directors will be
18 Jan-30 Mar
shown
Japan Museum Exhibition of famous
masterpieces from Japan
Museum
10 Jan MediaCorp AAS Birthday Party
with gifts, vouchers,
lucky draws, games,
birthday cakes,
entertainment and many
more.
**** To buy tickets call 64578934 or go to www.aas.com
Organizer Asian Arts Museum
JOIN US!
1. Who is the main organizer of these events?
(1) OCBC Bank (2) Japan Museum
(3) MediaCorp (4) Asian Arts Museum
( )
1

2. When is the AAS Birthday Party?
(1) 1 st Jan 2009 (2) 10 th Jan 2009
(3) 18 th Jan 2009 (4) 30 th Mar 2009
( )
3. What will AAS offer during 1-15 January 2009?
(1) Famous movies by well-known directors
(2) Exhibition of famous masterpieces from Japan Museum
(3) Birthday party
(4) Games ( )
4. Who is the sponsor of the special exhibition from 18 January to 30
March 2009?
(1) OCBC Bank (2) MediaCorp
(3) Japan Museum (4) Asian Arts Museum
( )
5. Steve wants to buy tickets for the event. What should he do?
(1) Buy at the exhibitions
(2) call 64578934 or go to ASS website
(3) Go to OCBC Bank
(4) Call MediaCorp
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. Lisa referred to the ___________ when her Geography teacher asked
her for the location of India.
(1) fiction (2) dictionary
(3) atlas (4) encyclopedia
( )
7. When the performance ended, the audience ___________ loudly
because they were pleased with it.
(1) applauded (2) shouted
(3) jeered (4) talked ( )
2

8. My teacher __________ the class about the field trip yesterday.
(1) informed (2) announced
(3) shared (4) threatened
( )
9. Ann and Grace had to ________ because they were in a library.
(1) shout (2) whisper
(3) laugh (4) talk
( )
10. Tom would not go to sleep because he was ___________ that a monster
would appear under his bed.
(1) excited (2) enchanted
(3) terrified (4) thrilled
( )
11. Dad had to _________ down his iced coffee and rush out of the house
because he was running late.
(1) sip (2) drink
(3) gulp (4) swallow
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. “This dish tastes even ________ than the horrible soup yesterday,”
cried Rose.
(1) bad (2) worse
(3) worst (4) worsen
( )
13. There is not _________ space left in the store room after Mr Lee put
all the boxes in.
(1) many (2) little
(3) much (4) a lot
( )
3

14. The teacher says that everyone in class __________ to take part in the
field trip tomorrow.
(1) have (2) has
(3) had (4) having
( )
15. One of my classmates _________ to school every day.
(1) walk (2) walked
(3) walking (4) walks
16. You haven’t told Jane about the surprise, __________?
(1) have you (2) did you
(3) haven’t you (4) didn’t you
17. Let’s not wait for Louis anymore. He is ___________ late.
(1) seldom (2) always
(3) frequent (4) rarely
( )
( )
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) dwell (B) prowling (C) fancy (D)craned
(E) tidings (F) decree (G) assign (H)reign
One moonlight night, a Fox was (18)____________ about in a
farmer's hen-coop, when he saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach.
"Good news, good news!" he cried.
"Why, what is that?" said the Cock.
"King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt a bird
4

from now on. All shall (19) __________ together in brotherly friendship."
"Why, that is good news," said the Cock, "And, there I see someone
coming, with whom we can share the good (20) ____________." As he said
that, he (21) ____________ his neck forward and looked afar.
"What is it you see?" said the Fox.
"It is only my master's Dog that is coming towards us. What? You’re
going so soon?" he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had
heard the news. "Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the
(22)____________ of universal peace?"
"I would gladly do so," said the Fox, "but I fear he may not have heard
of King Lion's (23)____________."
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) at (B) on (C) onto (D)into
(E) by (F) under (G) above (H)in
An ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst. It was
carried away (24)__________ the rush of the stream and was on the point
of drowning. A Dove sitting (25)__________ a tree overhanging the water
plucked a leaf and let it fall (26) __________ the stream close to her. The
5

Ant climbed (27)___________ it and floated to safety to the riverbank.
Shortly afterwards, a hunter came into the woods and stood
(28)___________ the tree. He pointed his gun and aimed it
(29)__________ the Dove, which was sitting on the branches. Seeing that
the Dove was in trouble, the Ant stung the hunter in the foot. The hunter
jumped around in pain and the noise alerted the Dove and it flew away.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
A teen was charged in the Juvenile Court on Wednesday for causing
mischief by fire, which resulted in damages of more than $1 million to the
Bukit China Temple.
No plea was taken from the 14-year-old. He was said to have set fire
to the temple with a lighter at about 1.15pm on Oct 6.
About 150 people were evacuated from the building. The roof of the
temple, which had a face-lift in March, caved in and loud explosions were
heard.
The juvenile, who looked tall and big-sized for his age, occasionally
glanced at his parents who were in court during the brief court session.
A police prosecutor asked for the juvenile to be remanded at the
Singapore Boys' Home for psychiatric assessment. The boy would be brought
back to court on Oct 14.
The maximum penalty for mischief by fire is a jail term of up to
seven years and a fine of $10,000.
6

30. The teen was charged for setting fire to a
(1) Church
(2) Mosque
(3) School
(4) Temple ( )
31. The result of the teen’s mischief is that:
(1) 150 people died in the fire.
(2) The roof of the temple collapsed.
(3) $1 million was stolen from the mosque.
(4) The roof of the mosque had a face-lift.
32. Which of the following is NOT an apt description of the teen?
(1) He is mischievous
(2) He is taller than the average 14-year-olds.
(3) He is stout.
(4) He is brave.
33. The fire happened on
(1) 6 October
(2) 7 October
(3) 14 October
(4) 15 October
( )
( )
( )
34. What would happen to the teen immediately after the court session?
(1) He would be brought back to the court.
(2) He would be brought to the Singapore Boys’ Home
(3) He would be jailed for 7 years.
(4) He would have to pay a fine of $1 million.
( )
7

Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
One of my favourite pastti
(35)
is to go to the
playground. Their
(36)
are always many children at the
playground every evening. All the children loves
(37)
sitting on
the swing. I look forward to go
(38)
there every Sunday
evening.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
A certain king had a beautiful garden, and in the garden stood a tree
which bore golden apples. The king ordered his men to count the apples every
day to ensure that none was stolen. However, about the time when the apples
began to (39)________ it was found that every night one of them was gone.
The king became very angry at this, and he ordered the gardener to keep
watch all night under the tree. The gardener set his(40)_________ son to
keep watch; but at about twelve o'clock he fell asleep and, in the morning,
another of the apples was missing. Then the second son was ordered to keep
watch; but at midnight he too fell asleep and, in the morning, another apple
8

was gone. When his third son offered to keep watch, the gardener was
initially reluctant for fear that harm would come to him. However, at last he
(41)________ , and the young man laid himself under the tree to keep watch.
As the clock struck twelve, he heard a (42)__________ noise in the air, and
a bird came flying that was of pure gold; and as it was snapping at one of the
apples with its (43)____________ , the gardener's son jumped up and shot
an arrow at it. But the arrow did the bird no harm; it only dropped a golden
feather from its tail, and then flew away. The golden feather was brought to
the king in the morning, and all the council was called together. Everyone
agreed that the feather was worth more than all the (44)____________ of
the kingdom; but the king said, 'One feather is of no use to me, I must have
the whole bird.'
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. Yesterday they went to Orchard Road. They also went to City Hall.
___________________________________________________and
______________________________________________________
9

46. I love playing badminton. John loves playing badminton.
Both_________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
47. My mother was reading a book. I went into her room.
_________________________________________________when
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The first friend that I remember from my childhood days was Frank,
to whom I clung to at the age of seven with a devotion which I fear he did
not appreciate. There were six girls in the house, but I would have nothing to
say to them, preferring to tag along after Frank. I was perfectly happy when
he allowed me to play with him. One of Frank’s favourite pastimes was trying
to make me cry by slapping my hands with books, hoop-sticks, shoes or
anything that could give me a good stinging blow. I believe I endured these
marks of friendship with the courage of a young Indian. I felt proud when
Frank told the other boys, “She's a brave little thing, and you can't make her
cry.”
What I loved most was playing with Frank in the long galleries of a
piano manufactory behind our house. I only wished that Frank would let me
join in when he played football with Billy Babcock. Frank felt that football
was too rough for girls and would not let me play no matter how many times I
10

asked him.
I remember certain happy evenings, when we snuggled in sofa
corners, planned tricks and ate stolen goodies. The six girls in the house
spent almost all their time playing with dolls and dollhouses; their domestic
play was not to my taste although it was their favourite pastimes.
On one occasion, I did something very naughty. I broke my mother’s
favourite vase that cost a fortune. When my parents found out, I fled to the
dining room and locked the door. Nobody knew I was there except Frank.
That was when Frank betrayed me. He climbed in at the window, unlocked the
door, and told my parents that I was in the dining room. He even encouraged
my parents to punish me. That betrayal saddens me.
Peanuts and candy, ginger-snaps and car-rides could not reunite the
broken friendship as we stopped being friends.
48. According to the author, what would Frank do to make her cry?
49. What was the author’s favourite activity with Frank?
11

50. Why did Frank refuse the author’s request to join in the football game
with Billy Babcock?
51. What was the six girls’ favourite pastime?
52. Why did the author and Frank stop being friends in the end?
End of Paper
12

Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 2
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
HELLO KITTY
PICNIC
On 6 Jan 2009 at Labrador Park
“Be the cutest Hello
Kitty!” 9-10am
Dress your kids in
creative Hello Kitty
costumes. Exciting
prize will be given to
the most fabulous
“Cartoon Show”
10-10.30am
Newly-launched
cartoon “Hello Kitty
and friends”
“Hello Kitty Food
Heaven” 9-12 noon
Delicious Hello-kittyshaped
cookies,
candies, chocolates
and cakes for sale.
“Hello Kitty
Hunting!” 10.30-
12noon
The whole family can
join in the fascinating
hunt for Hello Kitty!
Bring along your picnic baskets to join our special picnic ever.
All participants will receive door-gifts.
Tickets are sold at the entrance: -Adult: $5 - Children: $3
Bring your Hello Kitty along!
13

1. When is the picnic?
(1) 9 Oct 2009
(2) 6 Jan 2009
(3) 30 Oct 2009
(4) 12 Jan 2009 ( )
2. Lee is 5 years old. How much must he pay if he wants to go to the picnic?
(1) It’s free (2) $5
(3) $10 (4) $3
( )
3. What is shown at the “Cartoon Show”?
(1) “ Food heaven”
(2) “Hunting”
(3) “ Hello Kitty and friends”
(4) “ Hello Kitty picnic” ( )
4.
Jenny wants to buy “Hello Kitty” cakes. At which of the following time
will time will she be able to buy them?
(1) 1pm (2) 8.30am
(3) 10.30am (4) 12.30pm ( )
5. Which of the following statement is FALSE?
(1) Only kids can join “Hello Kitty Hunting!”
(2) The “Cartoon show” is from 10am to 10.30 am.
(3) Gifts will be given to all participants.
(4) Tickets are sold at the entrance.
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. Enid Blyton is my favourite ______. She writes really good books.
(1) publisher (2) author
(3) editor (4) lecturer
( )
14

7. “I’m so ______ about the presentation tomorrow. I’ve never done
anything like this before!” exclaimed George.
(1) nervous (2) depressed
(3) agitated (4) excited
( )
8. Jason is enjoying her trip to London so much that he wants to _____ his
stay there for another week.
(1) expand (2) extend
(3) experience (4) enjoy
( )
9. The horror movie was so ______ that I had nightmares after watching
it.
(1) enchanting (2) frightening
(3) soothing (4) boring
( )
10. Jane’s family was so proud of her wonderful singing ______ on stage
last night.
(1) display (2) exhibition
(3) performance (4) presentation
( )
11. Jimmy enjoys running so he goes to the sports stadium ______.
(1) frequently (2) usually
(3) always (4) rarely
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. The workshop was cancelled because there was too _____ people signing
up for it.
(1) much (2) many
(3) few (4) little ( )
15

13. Just now, the librarian ______ the children for talking loudly in the
library.
(1) reprimands (2) was reprimanding
(3) reprimanded (4) is reprimanding
( )
14. Could you pass me ______ more salt please? This chicken is still a little
bland.
(1) a lot (2) a few
(3) some (4) many
( )
15. Can you keep this secret ______ the two of us please?
(1) with (2) among
(3) between (4) in
16. Look, John! Many people ______ the same book as you did.
(1) buys (2) has bought
(3) is buying (4) have bought
( )
( )
17. One of the children ______ going to sing on stage during the Awards
Day.
(1) is (2) are
(3) has been (4) have been
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) moment (B) flashed (C) remarkable (D)improve
(E) considering (F) curiosity (G) peeped (H)knowledge
Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the
16

ank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had (18)__________into
the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it.
"What is the use of a book," thought Alice, "without pictures or
conversations?"
So she was (19) ____________in her own mind whether the
pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and
picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by
her.
There was nothing very (20) ____________in that; nor did Alice
think it is very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, "Oh
dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" But when the Rabbit actually took a watch
out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice
started to her feet, for it (21) ____________across her mind that she had
never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take
out of it, and burning with (22), ____________she ran across the field
after it, and was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the
hedge.
In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering
how in the world she was to get out again.
17

The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and
then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a
(23)____________to think about stopping herself before she found herself
falling down what seemed to be a very deep well.
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) will be playing (B) play (C)plays (D)impressive
(E) played (F) had played (G) is playing (H) playing
Five years ago, my sister learnt to (24) ________badminton from
Coach Sim, who lived a few houses away. She spent a lot of time
(25)__________badminton so that her skills would get better. Since then,
she has made great progress and now (26)_________ badminton after
school every day.
Last year, she (27)__________ in three badminton competitions and
she won all three of them. This year, she (28)___________ in an interschool
competition. Coach Sim is hopeful that she will win because she
(29)_________ against very strong players and had won.
18

Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Once there was an old lady. One day she fell ill and became blind. She
spent a lot of money on medicine but she could not get cured.
At last there came a doctor called Baddan who said he would cure her
if she gave him ten thousand dollars. She said she would give him the money
when she was cured.
So the doctor came every day to treat her.
But the doctor was also a thief. Every day, he took away something or
other belonging to the old lady. First the boxes, then the chairs, then even
the tables. But he gave the lady good medicine and eventually she was cured.
"Now," said the doctor, "give me my money."
"I won't" said the lady.
So the doctor took her to court.
The lady told the judge: "I told the doctor I would pay him when I
could see well. But I cannot see well. Before I was blind I could see tables
and chairs and boxes in my house. Now I can see only bare walls. So I am not
completely cured."
The judge understood and smiled.
"Dr Baddan," he said, "unless you can make the lady see all her
furniture and possessions, she shall not pay you."
That night the doctor went and quietly put back all the things he had
taken from the lady's house.
19

30. Which word in the passage has the same meaning as “to get well”?
(1) cured (2) blind
(3) eventually (4) bare ( )
31. How much did Baddan charge for treating the old lady?
(1) He did not ask for anything in return for treating.
(2) His fees were ten thousand dollars.
(3) The treatment was free.
(4) He asked only that she gave him her furniture. ( )
32. Why did the doctor remove the old lady’s things from her house?
(1) The old lady had given them to him.
(2) He was going to help her look after her things until she got better.
(3) He was a thief.
(4) He was worried that she could knock into them as she was blind.
( )
33 Which of the following words best describe the old lady in this story?
(1) Unreasonable (2) Clever
(3) Helpless (4) Selfish ( )
34. What did the judge mean by “unless you can make the lady see all
furniture and possessions, she shall not pay you”?
(1)
The judge was hinting to Baddan that he must return all the things
that he stole.
(2)
The judge agreed with the old lady that Baddan did not manage to
cure her of her blindness.
(3)
The judge felt Baddan must give the old lady more medicine so
that she will get well.
(4)
The judge believed that Baddan could perform magic and make all
the furniture reappeared.
( )
20

Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
Caller A asked, “Hello. Can I please speaking
(35)
to Mr.
Chan? ”
Miss B replied, “Sure. Please wait for a momment
(36)
”
And then Miss B said, “I’m so sorry but Mr Chan was
(37)
not in. Would you like to leave a message?”
Caller A asked, “Could you please tell him that the meeting later has
been cancelled? The Custemer
(38)
will not be available.”
Miss B responded, “Yes, I’ll definitely do that. Goodbye.”
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals.
"I have never yet been (39)__________ ," said he, "when I put forth my full
speed. I (40)____________ any one here to race with me."
The Tortoise said quietly, "I (41)______________ your challenge."
"That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance round you all the way."
21

"Keep your (42)________________till you've beaten me," answered the
Tortoise. "Shall we race?"
So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare
(43)______________ almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to
show his contempt for the Tortoise, it lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise
plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the
Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to
(44)______________ the race.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. Smith was sick. He still came to class.
Although_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
46. I was watching TV. My father was reading the newspaper.
__________________________________________________ while
______________________________________________________
22

47. I like collecting stamps. Joe also likes collecting stamps
Both___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Frogs were living as happily as could be in a marshy swamp that
was just nice for them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and
nobody troubling with them.
But some of them thought that this was not right because they
thought they should have a king and a proper constitution. So, they were
determined to send a petition to Jove so that they would be given what they
wanted.
"Mighty Jove," they cried, "send unto us a king that will rule over us and
keep us in order." Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw a huge log into
the swamp. The log caused a big splash in the swamp when it was thrown
down. The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion. They
all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster. However, after seeing
that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured out towards
the log, and even dared to touch it. Still, the log did not move.
Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon the log and
commenced dancing up and down upon it. Soon, all the Frogs came and did the
same; and for some time the Frogs went about their business every day
without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst.
However, this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove,
23

and said to him, "We want a real king; one that will really rule over us." This
made Jove angry, so he sent a big Stork among them. The big Stork soon
started gobbling them all up. The Frogs then repented but it was already too
late.
48. How and where did the Frogs live before they had a ‘king’?
49. Why did the Frogs send the first petition to Jove?
50. Why do you think Jove threw a log into the swamp?
24

51. How did the Frogs react to the log that was thrown into the swamp?
52. What did the Frogs feel to have the Stork as their ‘second king’?
End of Paper
25

Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 3
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
LITTLE PRINCESS
10-30 Nov 2009
BTS Arts Center
A lovely play for 3-8 years old
Show times:
Mon-Fri: 10am
Sat: 10am,3pm and 7pm
Duration: 1hour
Tickets
$10/per person (both adult and
child)
$32/family (for 2 adults and 2
children)
Tickets are only available through
SISTIC, additional $1 SISTIC fee
per ticket
Organiser
Tropical Pte Ltd
Main Sponsor
26

1. What is the name of the play?
(1) BTS
(2) Little Princess
(3) Tropical
(4) HC ( )
2. When will the play end?
(1) 10 Nov 20009 (2) 10 Dec 2009
(3) 30 Nov 2009 (4) 30 Dec 2009
( )
3. On which day is the play performed in the evening?
(1) Monday
(2) Wednesday
(3) Thursday
(4) Saturday ( )
4. Who is the main sponsor of the play?
(1) Tropical Pte Ltd (2) Hock Cheong Printing Pte Ltd
(3) SISTIC (4) BTS
( )
5. Mr Lee and Mrs Lee want to buy tickets for the whole family. They have
two children. How much must they pay?
(1) $8/person
(2) $10/adult and $8/child
(3) $35 for the whole family if they choose family package
(4) $32 for the whole family if they choose family package
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. Abraham Bell was the one who ____ the earliest telephone.
(1) invented (2) created
(3) portrayed (4) generated
( )
27

7. Please be ______ towards your neighbours by keeping the noise level
down after 11p.m.
(1) appreciative (2) grateful
(3) pleased (4) considerate
( )
8. He is a very famous ______ whose wrote many songs that are sung by
one and all.
(1) singer (2) writer
(3) composer (4) conductor
( )
9. The ______ is interviewing the winner of the singing competition
(1) author (2) reporter
(3) writer (4) illustrator
( )
10. He gives me a very good ______ because he always looks neat and tidy.
(1) impression (2) behaviour
(3) appearance (4) performance
( )
11. Thomas ______ in pain when he accidentally cut his finger.
(1) whispered (2) mumbled
(3) groaned (4) whined
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. My sister always oversleeps because she has a habit of ______ off the
alarm when it rings.
(1) switches (2) switching
(3) switched (4) is switching
( )
28

13. Did you ______ any fruit last night? There is no more fruit in the
fridge.
(1) buy (2) bought
(3) is buying (4) buying
( )
14. My sister is ______ at badminton, but my father is even ______!
(1) good… best (2) good….better
(3) better… best (4) best…. Better
( )
15. We will share the chocolates ______ ourselves.
(1) under (2) between
(3) over (4) among
16. I hate onions ______ cucumbers. They both taste horrible.
(1) and (2) or
(3) but (4) nor
( )
( )
17. ________ John _______ Billy is up to the mark for this competition.
Somebody else is going to win.
(1) Neither…. nor (2) Either…. or
(3) Only….. and (4) Only…. but
( 1 )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) quarrelling (B) attempts (C)convincing (D) quarrels
(E) might (F) strong (G) imagine (H) illustration
James had a few sons who were always (18)_________ among
themselves. When he failed to resolve their (19) ____________, he decided
29

to give them a practical (20) ____________of the evils of disunity and, for
this purpose, he told them to bring him several bundles of sticks. Then, he
placed one bundle of sticks into the hands of each of them, and ordered them
to break it into pieces. They tried with all their (21)_____________and
were not able to do so. Next, James untied the bundle of sticks, and gave
one stick to each of his sons, who managed to break it without any problem at
all. At this, James said, "My dear sons, if you are of one mind, and are
united, you will be (22)_________ just like this bundle of sticks, untouched
by all the (23) ____________of your enemies to harm you; but if you are
divided, you will be broken as easily as these sticks would be individually."
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) for (B) up (C) with (D) on
(E) in (F) upon (G) through (H) above
Two roosters were fiercely fighting (24)____________the control
of the farmyard. One day, one rooster finally put the other rooster to flight.
The defeated rooster skulked away and hid himself (25)________a quiet
corner, while the conqueror flew (26) ____________to a high wall, flapped
his wings and crowed exultingly (27) ____________all his might. An Eagle
30

which was sailing (28)___________ the air pounced (29)________ him and
carried him off in his talons. The rooster that was defeated immediately
came out of his corner and ruled henceforth with undisputed mastery.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
According to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Jupiter,
the first bull by Neptune, and the first house by Minerva. On the completion
of their labours, a dispute arose as to who among them had produced the
perfect handicraft. They agreed to appoint Momus as judge, and to abide by
his decision. However, Momus was very envious of the perfect handicraft
that each of them had created and he decided to find fault with all.
He first criticised the work of Neptune because he had not put the
horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike.
He then condemned the work of Jupiter, because he had not placed
the heart of man on the outside, so that everyone might read man’s evil
thoughts and take precautions against the intended mischief.
And, lastly, he inveighed against Minerva because she had not
contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might
move easily if a neighbour proved unpleasant.
Jupiter was furious with Momus for being so irresponsible and
removed him as the judge. Momus was therefore expelled from the mansions
of Olympus.
31

30. According to the ancient legend, the first man, first house and first bull
were made by the following respectively:
(1) Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva
(2) Minerva, Neptune, Jupiter
(3) Jupiter, Minerva, Neptune
(4) Minerva, Jupiter, Neptune
( )
31. What was the dispute between Jupiter, Neptune and Minerva about?
(1) They were unhappy that the labour took too long.
(2) They were dissatisfied with the labour.
(3)
There were disagreements over which one of them had created
the perfect work.
(4) There were disagreements over the appointment of the judge.
( )
32. Why did Momus decide to find fault with each piece of work?
(1)
He was envious of the perfect handicraft of Jupiter, Neptune and
Minerva.
(2)
He was not happy with the handicraft of Jupiter, Neptune and
Minerva.
(3) He felt that it was his responsibility as a judge.
(4) He felt that the handicraft was not good enough.
( )
33. What did Momus say was wrong with Neptune’s bull?
(1) Neptune had not make horns for the bull.
(2) Neptune had not make eyes for the bull.
(3) Neptune had not taught the bull where to strike.
(4) Neptune had not placed the horns of the bull below his eyes.
( )
34. What happened to Momus in the end?
(1) He was made the chief Judge in the office of judge.
(2) He was expelled from Olympus.
(3) He drove Jupiter away.
(4) He left the office of judge with Jupiter.
( )
32

Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
Jean told me of her dream yesterday. “One of these
day
(35)
I shall become the great
(36)
ballerina
in the world. I will perform all over the world and be absolutely fames
(37)
. I will awe the audeince
(38)
who
watch me perform.” Jean said these with her eyes gleaming.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond
of new clothes, that he spent all his (39)_________ on clothes. He did not
trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to
go hunting or to the theatre. He had a (40)________ suit of clothes for
each hour of the day.
Time passed merrily in the King’s large kingdom and there were
strangers arriving at the court every day. One day, two men went to the
King’s court and said they knew how to weave clothes of the most
(41)___________ colours and patterns. They claimed that the clothes that
33

they manufactured have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to
everyone who was unfit for the positions they held and who was
extraordinarily simple in character.
"These must indeed be splendid clothes!" thought the Emperor. "Had I
such a suit, I will be able to find out what men in my realms are unfit for
their office, and also be able to (42)_________ the wise from the foolish!
This stuff must be woven for me (43)_________." And he gave large sums of
money to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work
immediately.
So the two men set up two rooms and (44)_________ to be hard at
work, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most
delicate silk and the purest gold thread and put both into their own
knapsacks. They would stay in the empty rooms until late at night to give the
impression that they were hard at work.
34

Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. I was talking to John. Our teacher entered the classroom.
__________________________________________________when
______________________________________________________
46. I had a long day at school. I was very tired.
________________________________________________because
______________________________________________________
47. My father loves reading books. I love reading books.
Both___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Three little Fairies sat in the fields eating their breakfast; each
among the leaves of her favourite flower, Daisy, Primrose, and Violet. The
Fairies were happy as can be.
The morning wind gently rocked them to and fro, and the sun shone
warmly down upon the dewy grass. The butterflies spread their wings and the
bees sung with their deep voices among the flowers.
The Fairies spread their breakfast on a silvery mushroom. There were little
35

cakes of flower-dust on a broad green leaf, a crimson strawberry, and cream
from the yellow milkweed. These made a fairy meal, and their drink was the
dew from the flowers' bright leaves.
"Oh," sighed Primrose, throwing herself back, "how warm the sun
grows! Give me another piece of strawberry, and then I must hurriedly hide
in the shadow of the ferns. But while I eat, tell me, dear Violet, why are you
so sad? I hardly remember seeing a happy face since my return from Rose
Land. What’s the matter, dear friend?"
"I will tell you," replied little Violet, the tears gathering in her soft
eyes.
"Our good Queen is trying very hard to keep the dear flowers from the
power of the cruel Frost-King. She has tried many ways, but all of them have
failed. She has sent messengers to his court with costly gifts, but all the
messengers returned sick for want of sunlight, weary and sad. We have
watched over these sick messengers regardless of sun or rain. Unfortunately,
in the end, we are still left to weep over our wilted messengers. Tonight, our
Queen will hold council for the last time. Therefore, we are sad, dear
Primrose, because the Queen has worked hard and cared for us, and yet we
can do nothing to help or advise her now."
"It is indeed a cruel thing," replied Primrose "but as we cannot help it,
we must suffer patiently, and not let the sorrows of others disturb our
happiness. Do you see how high the sun is getting? I have my locks to curl,
and my robe to prepare for the evening. I have to go now before I turn brown
and withered in this warm light."
Primrose gathered a tiny mushroom and flew away in a hurry, leaving
36

Violet alone. Meanwhile, the three Fairies have heard everything that Violet
had said to Primrose.
48. What did the three Fairies have for breakfast in the field?
49. What did the Queen do to keep the flowers from the power of the
Frost-King?
50. What happened to the messengers eventually?
37

51. Did Primrose feel as sad as Violet after Violet told her the story? Why
or why not?
52. Why did Primrose leave Violet alone in the field in the end?
End of Paper
38

Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 4
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN!
45 Westside Road Singapore 120356. Tel 65879632
Runaway Family package
For 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3-12) : $50 ( usual $60)
Additional child : $8 (usual $12)
Runaway individual treat
Adult: $18 ( usual $22)
Child (below 12 years old): $8 ( usual $12)
1-for-1 chalet promotion
Pay for 1 night, and
get the second night FREE!
-RUNAWAY Resort ( Tel 64573421)
Promotion is
available from
1st Nov to 30th Nov
2009
Log onto www.runaway.com for more information
Cut out the coupons below and enjoy special discounts on food and beverages at
the Runaway Theme Park.
39

1. Mr Lim’s family has 5 members. What is the minimum amount that he has
to pay for his family with the promotion?
(1) $58
(2) $60
(3) $50
(4) $10 ( )
2. When is the last date of the promotion?
(1) 1 Nov 2009 (2) 2 Nov 2009
(3) 30 Nov 2009 (4) 29 Nov 2009
3. For Chalet Promotion, customers can________
(1) pay for 1 night, and enjoy the second night free
(2) pay for 1 night, and enjoy the next two nights free
(3) pay for 1 night, and enjoy the next three nights free
(4) pay for 1 night, and enjoy the next four nights free
( )
( )
4. What is the normal price for a child visiting Runaway Theme Park?
(1) $20 (2) $12
(3) $10 (4) $8 ( )
5.
With a mineral water coupon, how much is the discount for a bottle of
mineral water?
(1) $0.8
(2) $0.6
(3) $0.4
(4) $0.2 ( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. It is rude to ______ other people when they are talking.
(1) invade (2) interrupt
(3) investigate (4) interfere
( )
40

7. Abdul felt really bad about spoiling my toy car. He immediately ______
and offered to buy me a new one.
(1) apologised (2) forgave
(3) argued (4) quarrelled
( )
8. You need to practice ______ if you want to pass your piano examination.
(1) occasionally (2) regularly
(3) rarely (4) infrequently
( )
9. Jane is as gentle as a ______ . She will never hurt anyone if she can
help it.
(1) deer (3) lamb
(3) dear (4) dog
( )
10. The nurse reminded James to clean his wound or it will be _____.
(1) infected (2) affected
(3) infested (4) diseased
( )
11. He had to ______ into the room so that no one would notice him.
(1) skid (2) slide
(3) tip-toe (4) march
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. Joanne is the one of the ______ girls in class.
(1) smarter (2) smart
(3) smartest (4) most smart
( )
41

13. My sister ______ up in fear when the ghost appeared on the screen in
the horror movie.
(1) jumps (2) jumped
(3) is jumping (4) was jumping
( )
14. My family and I ______ to Japan this coming December.
(1) will be going (2) will go
(3) has been going (4) have been going
( )
15. The recipe says to add ______ tomatoes into the soup and sprinkle
______ pepper over it before serving.
(1) some… a few (2) many…. much
(3) some…… a little (4) much… many
( )
16. We can ______ go to McDonald’s ______ Burger King.
(1) either…. or (2) neither…. nor
(3) either…. nor (4) neither…. or
( )
17. There are many bad singers in the group. But Sean is the ______.
(1) best (2) better
(3) worse (4) worst
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) interfere (B) feared (C) regretted (D) declined
(E) approaching (F) assistance (G) imagine (H) illustration
A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to
be her friends. One day, she heard the hounds (18)__________and hoped to
42

escape them with the aid of her many friends. So, she went to the horse, and
asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he
(19)___________, stating that he had important work to do for his master.
"He felt sure," he said, "that all her other friends would come to her
(20)_____________." She then approached the bull, and hoped that he
would repel the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: "I am very sorry, but
I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat
will do what you want." The goat, however, (21)__________that his back
might do her some harm if he gave her a ride on it. The ram, he felt sure,
was the proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him the
problem. The ram replied: "Another time, my dear friend. I do not like to
(22)___________on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat
sheep as well as hares." The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf,
who (23)______________that he was unable to help her, as he did not like
to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself
had declined the task. By this time, the hounds were quite near and the Hare
took to her heels and luckily escaped unharmed.
43

Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) went (B) goes (C) going (D) will be going
(E) had gone (F) has been (G) go (H) is going
Jane’s favourite hobby is reading. She (24) ____________ to the
community library with her family every Sunday evening. Her family has made
(25) ____________to the library part of their routine every Sunday. Jane
and her family still (26) ____________to the library during public holidays
even though the library would be very packed. However, Jane had to go for a
field trip last Sunday, so they (27) ____________to the library on Saturday
evening instead. To date, Jane (28) ____________to the library at least 20
times. Jane told her best friend, Stephanie about the library. Stephanie (29)
_________to the library with Jane’s family next week.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Rollo, who was between five and six years old, was busy at work in his
little garden, planting some beans. His father had given him a little square
bed in a corner of the garden, and he had planted some corn there two days
ago. As his corn did not grow after two days, he decided to plant some beans
in the same plot of land where he had earlier planted the corn.
He was sitting on a little cricket, digging holes in the ground, when he
44

heard a sudden noise. He jumped up, and saw a strange, monstrous head
looking at him over the garden wall. He ran as fast as he could towards the
house.
Jonas, who was busy at work in the yard, cutting wood, saw Rollo
running and he called out to him, “What is the matter, Rollo?”
At first, Rollo did not answer as he was a little ashamed of his fears.
However, when he turned around, and realised that the head was still there,
he decided to run up towards Jonas.
“That’s the colt,” said Jonas; “Would you like to go and see him?”
Rollo looked round again, and true enough, it was a small horse’s head
that was over the wall. It looked smaller now than it did when he first saw it.
Now there was a green field behind the garden, with scattered trees
upon it, and a thick wood at the other side. Jonas took Rollo by the hand, and
led him back into the garden, towards the colt. The colt put his head back
over the fence as they approached, and walked away. It was now afraid of
Rollo. Jonas and Rollo climbed up upon a stile which was built there against
the fence, and saw the colt trotting away slowly towards the wood, looking
back at Rollo and Jonas, by bending his head every minute, first on one side,
and then on the other.
“Look, here comes father,” said Rollo.
Jonas looked and saw Rollo’s father coming out of the wood, leading a
horse. The colt and the horse had been feeding together in the field, and
Rollo’s father had caught the horse, for he wanted to take a ride on it. Rollo’s
father had a little basket in his hand, and when he saw the colt coming
towards him, he held it up and called him, “_Elky, Elky, Elky, Elky,” for the
45

colt’s name was Elkin, though they often called him Elky. Elkin walked slowly
up to the basket, and put his nose in it. He found that there were some oats
in it; and Rollo’s father poured them out on the grass, and then stood by
patting Elky’s head and neck while he ate them. Rollo thought his head looked
beautifully; he wondered how he could have been afraid of it.
30. What was the first thing that Rollo planted in the little square bed that
his father gave him?
(1) Beans
(2) Corns
(3) Flowers
(4) Pumpkins
( )
31. Why did Rollo choose not to answer Jonas’ question at first?
(1) He was too busy running.
(2) He was afraid of Jonas.
(3) He was ashamed of his fears.
(4) He did not like Jonas.
( )
32. What was actually the “strange, monstrous head” that Rollo ran away
from?
(1) It was a colt’s head.
(2) It was Jonas’ head.
(3) It was his father’s head.
(4) It was a plant.
( )
33. From the story, what do you think a ‘colt’ is?
(1) A farmer
(2) An adult horse
(3) A young horse
(4) A monster
( )
46

34. What was in the basket that Rollo’s father brought?
(1) Oats
(2) Horse food
(3) Fruits
(4) Food
( )
Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
Last Sunday, my father decide
(35)
to bring my sister and
me to the beech
(36)
. It was a great day for going out
because the whether
(37)
was bright and sunny. My sister and
I was having
(38)
a lot of fun building sand castles and
swimming in the sea.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
At one time, the Horse had the plain entirely to himself. Then a
Sheep intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. The Horse was
(39)___________to share the pasture with the Sheep and decided to ask a
man for (40)_________. He asked the man if he was willing to assist in
(41)__________ the sheep away.
The man replied that if the Horse would
47

(42)___________ to carry him, he would be able to come up with an (43)
___________plan that would surely drive the Sheep away. The Horse
consented and allowed the man to mount him. From that hour, he found that
instead of chasing the sheep away, he had enslaved himself to the
(44)_________ of man.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. Mervin is my teacher. He is tall and dark.
Mervin who_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
46. “I will go to Japan next week”, John told me.
John told me that ________________________________________
______________________________________________________
47. Jenny was sick. She still went to class.
Although_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
48

Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
It is said that in the days of the famed King Arthur, who was ruler of
Britain in the year 516, there lived a great magician, called Merlin, who was
the most learned and skilful enchanter in the world at that time.
This great magician, who could assume any form he pleased, was
travelling in the disguise of a poor beggar. As he was becoming very tired, he
stopped at the cottage of an honest ploughman to rest himself and ask for
some refreshment.
The ploughman gave him a hearty welcome, and his wife, who was a
very good-hearted woman, soon brought him some milk in a wooden bowl and
some coarse brown bread on a platter.
Merlin was very pleased with the kindness of the ploughman and his
wife; but he could not help seeing that though everything was neat and
comfortable in the cottage, they both seemed sad and depressed. He
therefore questioned them on the cause of their sadness, and learned they
were miserable because they had no children.
The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be
the happiest person in the world if she had a son; and even if he was no
bigger than her husband's thumb, she would be satisfied.
Merlin was so amused with the idea of a boy no bigger than a man's
thumb that he made up his mind to pay a visit to the queen of the fairies, and
asked her to grant the poor woman's wish. The fairy queen, who found the
idea of having such a little person among the human race to be an interesting
one, was very pleased too, and she promised Merlin that the wish should be
49

granted. Accordingly, a short time after, the ploughman's wife had a son, who
was not bigger than his father's thumb.
The fairy queen, wishing to see the little fellow thus born into the
world, came in at the window while the mother was sitting up in bed admiring
him. The queen kissed the child, and, giving it the name of Tom Thumb, sent
for some of the fairies, to dress up the little boy.
48. Who was Merlin?
49. Why did Merlin stop at the cottage of a ploughman?
50. Why were the ploughman and his wife sad?
50

51. Why did the fairy queen promise Merlin that the ploughman and his
wife’s wish would be granted?
52. Why did the fairy queen name the baby “Tom Thumb”?
End of Paper
51

Semestral 1 - Mock Paper 5
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
COME VIST OUR NEW ATTRACTIONS
- A GIANT LION FROM AFRICA
- 3 BABY PANDAS FROM CHINA
- 3 BABY ELEPHANTS FROM THAILAND
GIVE YOURSELFA CHANCE TO ENJOY
- FRESH AIR
- BIG GARDENS
- OPEN SPACE
- LOVELY ANIMALS
OPENING HOURS
MON-FRI: 9AM-6PM
SAT&,SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS : 9AM-7PM
ENTRANCE FEE
ADULT: $8
CHILD: $5
(FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN BELOW 4)
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1. How many new elephants does the zoo have?
(1) One
(2) two
(3) three
(4) four ( )
2. Where is the new lion from?
(1) China (2) Africa
(3) Thailand (4) America
( )
3. What time does the zoo close on the first day of Chinese New Year?
(1) 6pm
(2) 6.30pm
(3) 7pm
(4) 9pm
( )
4. Lee is 3 years old. How much is the entrance fee for him?
(1) $10 (2) $8
(3) $5 (4) $0
5. What is the zoo called?
(1) New Attraction
(2) Fantastic Zoo
(3) Fresh Air
(4) Big Gardens
( )
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. Ashlyn is a very ______ girl. She is always breaking things.
(1) stubborn (2) clumsy
(3) generous (4) cunning
( )
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7. Mrs Lee had food poisoning last night and was _____in to the hospital
(1) rescued (2) admitted
(3) placed (4) put
( )
8. There are fifty ______ on board the flight to New York.
(1) pedestrians (2) customers
(3) passengers (4) drivers
( )
9. Janet was advised to check the ______ for the meaning of the word
“hermit”.
(1) library (2) dictionary
(3) atlas (4) encyclopaedia
( )
10. I have a pencil box that is _____ to yours.
(1) familiar (2) particular
(3) similar (4) same
( )
11. The candle flame ______ a little because of the wind.
(1) flickered (2) blinked
(3) shook (4) shone ( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. I heard the neighbour’s dog barking when I ______ to bed last night.
(1) goes (2) go
(3) went (4) going
( )
13. Eating too much sweets _____ bad for your teeth. .
(1) is (2) are
(3) has (4) have
( )
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14. “Why are you late? I ______ waiting for you for the last 2 hours!” Jane
asked.
(1) have been (2) was
(3) had been (4) am
( )
15. You will need to walk _____ this path for about ten minutes before
reaching your destination.
(1) on (2) in
(3) along (4) over
( )
16. _______ took the bus to go to their grandparents’ place.
(1) We (2) They
(3) You (4) She
17. My brother and I ______ eating chocolates.
(1) are loving (2) loves
(3) love (4) was loving
( )
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) nimble (B) worthy (C) branches (D) own
(E) pity (F) despise (G) love (H)atmosphere
The Hart was once drinking from a pool and admiring his
(18)________ reflection. "Ah," said he, "where can you see such nice horns
as these, with such antlers! I wish I had legs more (19)____________ to
bear such a noble crown; it is a (20)________ they are so slim and slight."
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At that moment a Hunter approached and sent an arrow whistling after him.
Away bounded the Hart, and soon, by the aid of his (21)__________ legs, he
was nearly out of sight of the Hunter. However, not noticing where he was
going, he passed under some trees with (22)__________ growing low down in
which his antlers were caught, therefore, giving the Hunter time to catch up
with him. "Alas! Alas!" cried the Hart: "We often (23)___________ what is
most useful to us."
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) up (B) of (C) towards (D) to
(E) by (F) with (G) in (H)at
A Fox was boasting (24) ____________a Cat about how good he
was at escaping from his enemies. "I have a whole bag of tricks," he said,
"which contains a hundred ways (25) ____________escaping from my
enemies."
"I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage
(26)__________that." Just then, they heard the cry of a pack of hounds
coming (27) ____________ them, and the Cat immediately scampered (28)
____________a tree and hid herself there. "This is my plan," said the Cat.
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"What are you going to do?" The Fox thought first of one way, then of
another, and while he was debating which plan was better, the hounds came
nearer and nearer, and, at last, the Fox in his confusion was caught
(29)____________ the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
"I shall take mother's red umbrella, it is so warm, and none of the
children at school will have one like it," said Lily, one day, as she went through
the hall.
"The wind is very strong today; I'm afraid you'll be blown away if you
carry that big thing," called Nurse from the window, as the red umbrella went
bobbing down the garden walk with the small girl under it.
"I wish it would; I always wanted to go up in a balloon," answered Lily,
as she struggled out of the gate.
She managed very well till she came to the bridge and stopped to look
over the railing at the water running by. There were turtles on the rocks. Lily
was fond of throwing stones at them; it was so funny to watch them tumble,
head over heels as they splashed into the water. Now, when she saw three big
fellows close by, she stooped for a stone, and just at that moment a gale of
wind nearly took the umbrella out of her hand. She clutched at it tightly; and
away she went like a thistle-down, right up in the air, over river and hill,
houses and trees, faster and faster, till her head spun round and her breath
was all gone, and she had to let go. The dear red umbrella flew away like a
57

leaf; and Lily fell till she went crashing into a tree. The tree grew in such a
curious place that she forgot her fright as she sat looking about her,
wondering what part of the world it could be.
The tree looked as if it was made of glass or coloured sugar; for she
could see through the red cherries, the green leaves, and the brown
branches. An agreeable smell met her nose; and she said at once, as any child
would, "I smell candy!" She picked a cherry and ate it. Oh, how good it was--
all sugar and no stone. The next discovery was such a delightful one that she
nearly fell off her perch; for by touching her tongue here and there, she
found that the whole tree was made of candy. Just imagine what fun it was to
sit and break off twigs of barley sugar, candied cherries, and leaves that
tasted like peppermint and chocolates!
Lily rocked and ate till she finished the top of the little tree; then
she climbed down and started exploring, making more surprising and
agreeable discoveries as she went.
30. Why did Lily take her mother’s red umbrella to school?
(1) It was raining.
(2)
She thought that none of the children in school will like the
umbrella.
(3) Her favourite colour was red.
(4)
It was unique and none of the children in school would have one
that was similar to it.
( )
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31. What was the Nurse’s concern about Lily bringing the umbrella to
school?
(1)
She was afraid Lily would be blown away as the wind was very
strong.
(2) She was afraid Lily would go up in a balloon.
(3) She was afraid Lily would be teased by the children in school.
(4) She was afraid Lily would spoil the umbrella.
( )
32. What was Lily doing before she got blown away by the wind?
(1) She was looking at the turtles.
(2) She was looking at the rolling waters on the bridge.
(3) She was getting a stone.
(4) She was crossing the bridge.
33. What was so special about the tree that Lily found?
(1) It was made of glass.
(2) It was made of coloured sugar.
(3) It had red cherries, green leaves, and brown branches
(4) It was made of candy.
34. In the last paragraph, what did ‘agreeable discoveries’ mean?
(1) Lily agreed with what she discovered.
(2) Lily was pleased with what she discovered.
(3) Lily was upset at what she discovered.
(4) Lily was taken aback by what she discovered.
( )
( )
( )
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Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
Last Monday, our school organised an inter-class badminton
tornaments
(35)
. Our class decided to send our
(36)
player, Seng Goa, for the match.
Unfotunately
(37)
, the other class sent a better player and
Seng Goa was bitten
(38)
by him.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
Two Frogs lived together in a marsh. However, one hot summer, the
marsh (39)____________ up, and they left it to look for another place to
live in since frogs like (40)_________ places if they can get them. By and by
they came to a deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said to the
other, "This looks a nice cool place. Let us jump in and (41)_________ here."
But the other, who was more (42)__________ replied, "Not so fast, my
friend. Supposing this well (43)________ to dry up like the marsh, how
should we get out again?"
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The moral of the story is that we should look before we leap and not
make (44)____________ in a hurry.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. This dress is more expensive than that dress. I still love this dress.
____________________________________________although
______________________________________________________
46. “We are going to the zoo tomorrow”, my mom said.
My mom said that _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________
47. John is talking to my mother. John is very kind to me.
John, who ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
There was once a fisherman who lived with his wife in a pigsty near the
sea. The fisherman used to go out fishing all day long. One day, as he sat on
the shore with his rod, looking at the sparkling waves and watching his line, all
of a sudden, he felt something tugging at his line and in drawing it up he
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pulled out a great fish. The fisherman had a great shock when the fish
started talking. The fish pleaded with him. It said, “Pray, let me live! I am not
a real fish; I am an enchanted prince: put me in the water again, and let me
go!”
“Oh, no!” said the man, “You need not waste your breath; I will have nothing
to do with a fish that can talk, so swim away, sir, as soon as you can, please!”
The fisherman put the fish back into the water and it swam away leaving a
long streak of blood behind him on the wave.
When the fisherman went home to his wife in the pigsty, he told her
how he had caught a great fish, and how it had told him it was an enchanted
prince, and how, on hearing it speak, he had let it go again. 'Did not you ask it
for anything?' said the wife, 'we live very wretchedly here, in this nasty dirty
pigsty; do go back and tell the fish that we want a snug little cottage.'
( Adapted from “The fisherman and his wife”, Fairy Tales by The Grims
Brother)
48. Where did the fisherman live?
49. What was so special about the fish that the fisherman caught?
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50. What did the fisherman do with the fish after catching it?
51. According to the fisherman’s wife, how was their living condition?
52. What did the wife want from the fish?
End of Paper
63

Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 1
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
Presents
CHLDREN’s BAKING
WORKSHOP
For children aged
6-10 years at
Hougang
Community Centre
Saturday
24 September 2009
1pm-5pm
Fee: $15 per child
Certificate of
Participation
to be given by
Mr Tan Yun.
We will provide all materials and
ingredients. You will have a chance to
bake cookies and cupcakes with Sweet
Bakery Chef Ms Linda Tan.
GRAB YOUR CHANCE TO WIN
ONE OF 3 PRIZES FOR THE BEST 3
DECORATED CUPCAKES!
Please bring your own containers as
you will bring home the food that you
bake at the workshop.
For more details please call Helpdesk at 6578 9231 or email your queries to
helpdesk@alankidsclub.com.sg
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1. The organizer for the workshop is ____________
(1) Sweet Bakery
(2) Alan Kids Club
(3) Helpdesk
(4) Ms Linda Tan ( )
2. The workshop is held at___________
(1) Alan Kids Club (2) Sweet Bakery
(3) Hougang Community Centre (4) Decorated cupcakes
( )
3. From the advertisement, the workshop __________
(1) is held in the morning
(2) is for children from 6 to 10 years old
(3) is held on 25 September 2009
(4) teaches children how to make birthday cake ( )
4. The best way to know more about the workshop is to ___________
(1) call Helpdesk (2)
call Hougang Community
Center
(3) talk to Ms Linda Tan (4) go to Alan Kids Club
( )
5. Which of the following statement is true?
(1) All needed materials and ingredients will be provided.
(2)
After attending the workshop, every child will not receive a
certificate.
(3) Children cannot take home what they have baked.
(4) There are five prizes to be won. ( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. John saw a __________ of geese when she visited the farm with hr
parents last Sunday.
(1) herd (2) gaggle
(3) brood (4) group ( )
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7. James turned ________ with envy when he saw George’s new toy car.
(1) green (2) purple
(3) yellow (4) red
( )
8. I was so ___________ on my study that I did not hear the phone ring.
(1) fascinated (2) enchanted
(3) focused (4) neglected
( )
9. Jane is very _________ . She spends all her time in front of the mirror
admiring her hair and her clothes.
(1) conceited (2) fussy
(3) vain (4) proud
( )
10. I had to _________ the tea slowly because it was very hot.
(1) lick (2) chuckle
(3) gulp (4) sip
11. This shop is ___________ as it has plenty of gifts and cards.
(1) well-built (2) well-stocked
(3) well-prepared (4) well-balanced
( )
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. “You have to check your belongings __________leaving the seminar
room”, Ms Chen told her students.
(1) after (2) during
(3) since (4) before ( )
13. I cannot wear this shirt__________ it is too big for me.
(1) so (2) and
(3) as (4) then ( )
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14. A minute ago, Joyce __________ in the kitchen when the phone rang.
(1) cooks (2) is cooking
(3) was cooking (4) were cooking
( )
15. The money in the safe _________ stolen.
(1) has been (2) have been
(3) are (4) were
16. Everyone must _________ the school rules strictly.
(1) follows (2) follow
(3) followed (4) following
17. ____________ ruler is it?
(1) why (2) when
(3) who (4) whose
( )
( )
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) rescue (B) broken (C) thump (D) frightened
(E) focus (F) splitting (G) trapped (H) discouraged
Dear John,
I want to tell you about an unforgettable experience that I had last
Sunday. I came back home early because I was having a (18) __________
headache and sore throat. I got into the lift with some renovation workers,
my neighbour and her 3 years- old child.
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It was a tight squeeze in the small lift. After moving up a few floors,
the lift stopped suddenly. It had (19)__________down! The men started to
shout and (20)____________on the lift door. The commotion
(21)__________ the child and she started to cry loudly.
We were (22)__________ in there for two hours. Then someone
came to our (23)__________and we were let out at the end. What an
experience!
How are you? Can you tell me how you are doing? Hope to hear from
you soon.
Your friend,
Tom
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) swims (B) swam (C) has swum (D) swimming
(E) were swimming (F) are swimming (G) swim (H) was swimming
Two years ago, my sister learned to (24) __________ from Coach
Tan. She developed a strong passion for swimming and would practise
regularly at the pool. She has made significant progress and now
(25)___________ competitively. Last month, she joined a (26)_________
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competition and (27)_________ the free style. She was elated when she won
the competition. This year, she (28)_________ in two competitions so far
and will go to her third one next week. She was not at home when I went over
to her house just now as she (29)_________ with her team-mates.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Machiavelli was born in Florence on 3rd May 1469. He was the
second son of Bernardo di Nicolo Machiavelli, a lawyer of some repute, and of
Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli, his wife. Both parents were members of the
old Florentine nobility.
Machiavelli’s life falls naturally into three periods, each of which
singularly enough constitutes a distinct and important era in the history of
Florence. His youth was concurrent with the greatness of Florence as an
Italian power under the guidance of Lorenzo de' Medici, Il Magnifico. The
downfall of the Medici in Florence occurred in 1494, in which year Machiavelli
entered the public service. During his official career, Florence was under the
government of a Republic, which lasted until 1512, when the Medici returned
to power, and Machiavelli lost his office. The Medici again ruled Florence
from 1512 until 1527, when they were once more driven out. This was the
period of Machiavelli's literary activity and increasing influence; but he died,
within a few weeks of the expulsion of the Medici, on 22nd June 1527, in his
fifty-eighth year, without having regained office.
( Adapted from “ The Prince” by Nicolo Machiavelli)
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30. When was Nicolo Machiavelli born?
(1) 3rd May 1527
(2) 3rd May 1469
(3) 3rd May 1512
(4) 3rd May 1494
( )
31. What was his father’s occupation?
(1) architect
(2) historian
(3) novelist
(4) lawyer ( )
32. In which year, did the Medici first loose power in Florence?
(1) in 1527
(2) in 1512
(3) in 1494
(4) in 1469 ( )
33. From the passage, we know that Machiavelli and the Medici _________.
(1) like each other very much
(2) did not get on well
(3) were great friends
(4) respected one another
( )
34. How old was Nicolo Machiavelli when he died?
(1) 50
(2) 58
(3) 80
(4) 85
( )
Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
During the December holidays last year, my classmates and I
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fly
(35)
to Bangkok together for a short holiday. Bangkok is an
amasing
(36)
city with many things to see, do and
(37)
ate .
We bought a lot of souvenirs for our friends. The Thai people we met
there were also very warm and friendly. We enjoy ourself
(38)
greatly during the vacation.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
One month before Jeremy’s examination, his father promised to
take him to Hong Kong if Jeremy showed good progress in his study. Jeremy
was (39)_________to do his best in his examination as he was very
(40)_________to visit Hong Kong. He paid more (41)__________ in class
and would consult his friends and teachers if he had problems, unlike before.
He also tried to revise his lessons regularly and diligently. He was not very
good (42)___________ Mathematics so he (43)__________ a lot of time
practicing this (44)____________. Jeremy’s confidence increased as a
result of his hard work and, eventually, he performed very well in his
examination.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
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For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. Jane has big eyes. Her brother has big eyes.
Both __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
46. Henry made a mistake. Henry did not apologize.
_______________________________________________but
______________________________________________________
47. He could not find the answer to the question. He tried very hard.
Although ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
It is a curious and prevalent opinion that literature, like all art, is a
mere play of imagination, pleasing enough, like a new novel, but without any
serious or practical importance. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Literature preserves the ideals of a people; and ideals--love, faith, duty,
friendship, freedom, reverence--are the part of human life most worthy of
preservation.
The Greeks were a marvellous people; yet of all their mighty work we
cherish only a few ideals,--the ideal of beauty in perishable stone, and the
ideal of truth in imperishable prose and poetry. It was simply the ideals of
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the Greeks and Hebrews and Romans, preserved in their literature, which
made them what they were, and which determined their value to future
generations. Our democracy, the pride of all English-speaking nations, is a
dream; not the doubtful and sometimes disheartening spectacle presented in
our legislative halls, but the lovely and immortal ideal of free and equal
manhood, preserved as a most precious heritage in every great literature
from the Greeks to the Anglo-Saxons.
( Adapted from “English Literature” by William J. Long)
48. What is the common opinion about literature?
49. What does literature preserve?
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50. What is the word from the passage that has the meaning “great respect
and admiration for someone or something”
51. What are the ideals of “democracy”?
52. What is the word in the passage that has the meaning “very strong and
powerful, or very big and impressive”?
End of Paper
74

Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 2
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
presents
Greeting you at
Queen’s Theatre
204 Avenue 6 Singapore 120356
1 Oct to 30 Nov 2008
Show times: Monday-Friday 10 am to 3pm
Saturday at 8pm
The theatre is open to the
public 30 minutes before
show time.
Latecomers will not be
admitted to the theatre once
the show has started.
Ticket prices:
VIP Seat: $60, Circle Seat: $40
Ticket booking: call
65789423 or charge to your
Visa Card (include service
charge of $2 per ticket)
Early bird discount of 5% if you buy
tickets from 1-15 Sept
Children below 10 and senior citizens
are eligible for a discount of $5
Sponsored by
PDL Ltd
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1. “ Inherited misery” is organized by
(1) Queen’s Theatre
(2) Avenue 6
(3) Trust. Production
(4) PDL. Ltd
2. There is an evening show on ________
(1) Monday (2) Weekends
(3) Friday (4) Saturday
3. You should call 65789423 if you want to ________
(1) listen to a musical review of the show
(2) book tickets
(3) ask about the musical
(4) get 5% discount
( )
( )
( )
4. How much must Jim pay if he wants to buy two normal price VIP seats?
(1) $120 (2) $40
(3) $60 (4) $5 ( )
5. Which of the following statement is true?
(1) Circle seat price is $60
(2) Early birds get 10% discount
(3) Children below 10 and senior citizens are eligible for a discount of
$5.
(4) Late comers are admitted 15 minutes after the show starts.
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. My little sister enjoys reading _____ about princes and princess.
(1) reports (2) poetry
(3) novels (4) journals ( )
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7. “Please ______ your seatbelt before I start driving,” Mrs Lee reminded
her son.
(1) put (2) fasten
(3) unbuckle (4) tie
( )
8. Susan is a _____ , she pretends to be kind when she is really a mean
little girl.
(1) hypocrite (2) glutton
(3) liar (4) pretender
( )
9. My family and I ____ the museum during the holidays.
(1) visited (2) stayed
(3) went (4) lingered
10. I need to sharpen my pencil. It is getting _____.
(1) lousy (2) useless
(3) blunt (4) smooth
( )
( )
11. “Wow, the ___________of ships over there is very impressive”, Joe
exclaimed.
(1) flight (2) pile
(3) set (4) fleet
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. My sister _______ me with my homework whenever I have problems.
(1) help (2) helped
(3) helps (4) helping
( )
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13. My mother ________ when the telephone rang.
(1) is ironing (2) was ironing
(3) irons (4) ironed
14. Henry is one of the __________ boys in class.
(1) most tallest (2) taller
(3) tall (4) tallest
15. “That’s the girl ______ I saw yesterday”, Mike told his friend.
(1) whose (2) which
(3) whom (4) when
( )
( )
( )
16. This pair of trousers_________ too long for me. I do not like it.
(1) are (2) were
(3) was (4) is
( )
17. These books are________.
(1) I (2) mine
(3) me (4) my
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) aluminum (B) labels (C) waste (D) recycled
(E) discard (F) environment (G) country (H) belongings
Recycling is becoming more and more important in saving energy and
protecting our environment. Instead of being thrown away, some items can be
(18)__________ and reused.
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Recycling lessens the amount of (19) ___________ going to landfills.
A landfill is a large hole in the ground for burying rubbish. Every day, tons of
rubbish are tipped out at landfills, crushed and buried. Over time, landfills
will be packed and there will not be any places left for people to
(20)________ their thrash.
Typical items that can be recycled are glass, (21)__________ cans,
newspapers and other kinds of paper. Recycled products vary from cardboard
boxes, greeting cards, and clothing to computers. Most recycled items are
sold with (22)________telling their origin from recycled materials. Buying
these products helps support the recycling process and save the
(23)___________.
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) collecting (B) has collected (C) will collect (D) collect
(E) collection (F) would collect (G) bring (H) collects
My little sister, Michelle, loves to (24) _______stamps. She enjoys
(25)__________ all types of stamps. She started her stamp
(26)__________ ten years ago when she was 12 years old. Whenever my
father goes overseas for business trips, he would (27) ___________back
79

stamps for Michelle. Michelle hopes she (28)_________ enough stamps to
enter the Guinness Book of Records one day. She told me that she
(29)_________ thousands of stamps and many of these are old and very
rare. She vows never to throw away any of the stamps that she has collected.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Mary takes the MRT train to work and, during peak hours, when the
train is very crowded she often has problems finding a seat. Sometimes, the
train is so packed that she even has problems getting on it. Every morning,
she tries to wake up early in the hope that she would beat the crowd.
However, she often ends up being disappointed. Most times, she will have to
stand until she reaches her destination. This is despite the fact that Mary is
six months pregnant. It seems that very few people are willing to give up
their seats to pregnant ladies, like Mary, or the elderly. Most commuters will
ignore Mary and some of them will pretend to look away or to sleep to avoid
making eye contact with her.
This evening, Mary struggled as usual first to get on the train and then
to look for a seat. “Would you like to have this seat?” a secondary school boy
said to her as he stood up to give her his seat. Suddenly, Mary felt a surge of
warmth cruising through her and she thanked the teenager profusely before
sitting down. “Well, it looks like there are still kind young people around,” she
thought. Her journey home that evening was not so bad after all.
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30. According to the passage, during peak hours on the MRT train, it was
______________
(1) easy to find a seat
(2) difficult to find a seat or even a place to stand
(3) not so crowded
(4) very hot
( )
31. When people saw that Mary was pregnant, they tended to
____________
(1) give up their seats to her
(2) talked to her
(3) ignore her most of the time
(4) asked about her condition
( )
32. In the morning, Mary tried to wake up early in order to___________
(1) beat the crowd
(2) do exercise
(3) read books
(4) walk to her office
( )
33. Who offered her a seat?
(1) A girl
(2) An old lady
(3) A handsome guy
(4) A teenager
( )
34. Her journey home that evening was_____________ after a teenager
offered her his seat.
(1) very bad
(2) unbearable
(3) rather pleasant
(4) disappointing
( )
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Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
The American astronoltt
(35)
Neil Armstrong was
widely regarded as the first person who walked on the moon. He said, “That’s
one step for a man, one gient
(36)
leap for mankind.”
The Apollo 11 mission was very succeed
(37)
.
Between 1969 and 1972, there were six Apollo missions carrying twelve
people to the Moon. They bring
(38)
back many rock samples
from the moon.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
My best friend, Jane, will move to England with her family at the end
of January. When I heard this, I was very (39)_____________. We
(40)__________been best friends since Primary One and we have grown
very attached to one another. I cried for days after she told her that she
would be (41)_________ soon. However, Jane promised that she would call
me every week and visit me during her school holidays. I know it would be
(42)__________ to find another wonderful friend like her again. I will surely
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(43)__________ her so much. She will be my best friend (44)___________.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. I dislike this book. It is very boring.
________________________________________________because
______________________________________________________
46. John told Joe “ I will visit my grandpa tomorrow”
John told Joe that ________________________________________
______________________________________________________
47. Alice loves roses. Her sister loves rose.
Both___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
An important phase of woodcraft is the ability to find your way in the
wilderness by means of natural signs as well as the compass. If, however, you
do not know at what point of the compass your camp lies, the signs can be of
no avail. However, with this knowledge, the signs will be invaluable.
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Get your bearings before leaving camp. Do not depend upon any member
of the party, but find out for yourself.
If you have a map giving the topography of the land surrounding the
camping-grounds, consult it. Burn into your memory the direction, from the
camp, of outlying landmarks, those near as well as those which are as far off
as you can see in all directions. On the morning that you leave the camp,
ascertain the direction of the wind and notice particularly the sun and
shadows. If it is early morning, face the sun and you will be looking towards
the east. Stretch out both arms at your sides and point with your indexfingers;
your right finger will point to the south, your left to the north, and
your back will be toward the west. What landmarks do you see east of the
camp? South? North? West? And from what point of the compass does the
wind blow? If it comes from the west and you trail eastward, the wind will
strike your back going away from camp and should strike your face returning,
provided its direction does not change. Again, if you go east, your camp will lie
west of you, and your homeward path must be westward. Consult your
compass and know exactly which direction you take when leaving the camp,
and blaze your trail as you go, looking backward frequently to see how
landmarks should appear as you face them returning.
( Adapted from “On the trail - an outdoor book for girls ”, by Lina Beard and
Adelia Belle Beard)
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48. According to the author, what is an important phase of woodcraft?
49. What happens if you do not know at what point of the compass your camp
lie?
50. Which word in the passage has the same meaning as “the shape of an
area of land, including its hills, valleys etc”?
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51. If it is early morning and you face the sun and in which direction will you
be looking towards?
52. After you identify which direction you are facing based on question 51, in
which direction will your left and right fingers be pointing to if you
stretch out both arms at your sides?
End of Paper
86

Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 3
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
Organised by
Changi Simei Community Club
A Sushi lunch set will be provided for each participant!
Date: 22 Oct 2009
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Wonderful Snowland at Greenwood
Meeting place: Carpark in front of Changi
Simei Community Club
Time: 8.30. please be PUNCTUAL
Fee: Adult (above 18 years old): $30
Child (7-18 years old) :$20
Not open to children below 7
Registration starts on 15 Sept 2009
Fee includes:
Transportation to and from
Wonderful Snowland
Rental of jackets, gloves and
snow booths for 1 hour
Sushi lunch set
Advice to all participants:
wear socks and trousers
Registration form
is available at the
General Office of
Community Club
Closing day for
registration : 15
Oct 2009
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1. Who is the organiser of the trip?
(1) General Office
(2) Wonderful Snowland
(3) Changi Simei Community Club
(4) Punctual ( )
2. When is the trip?
(1) 15 Oct 2009 (2) 22 Oct 2009
(3) 16 Oct 2009 (4) 15 Sept 2009 ( )
3.
Steve is 15 years old. He wants to sign up for the trip. How much does
he to pay?
(1) $20 (2) $30
(3) $25 (4)
He is not eligible to join the
trip
( )
4. When is the closing date of registration?
(1) 15 Oct 2009 (2) 22 Oct 2009
(3) 16 Oct 2009 (4) 15 Sept 2009 ( )
5. Which of the following statement is true?
(1) The registration fee does not include transportation.
(2) Sushi lunch set is not a part of registration fee.
(3) The registration fee includes rental of jackets, gloves and snow
booths for 2 hour.
(4) All participants must wear socks and trousers when visiting
Wonderful Snowland.
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. Our teacher and friends _____ us on when we were having the
basketball match against the other class.
(1) inspired (2) encouraged
(3) cheered (4) jeered ( )
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7. We need to read the _____ everyday to know what is happening around
us.
(1) magazines (2) newspaper
(3) story books (4) newsletter
( )
8. James arrived _____ after I reached the restaurant so we did not have
to wait long before we started eating.
(1) shortly (2) slowly
(3) quickly (4) lately
( )
9. Priscilla is a very _____ ballerina. Everybody enjoyed her performance.
(1) graceful (2) careful
(3) happy (4) cheerful
( )
10. My mother put some money into her _____ before going shopping.
(1) container (2) luggage
(3) purse (4) box
( )
11. Mrs Lim _____ Janice for spitting on the floor during class.
(1) advised (2) scolded
(3) patted (4) affirmed
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. Remember not to put too ______ salt into the soup. Grandma does not
like salty food.
(1) little (2) few
(3) many (4) much
( )
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13. The traffic police ______ Ahmad a summon because he was speeding.
(1) issues (2) issued
(3) issue (4) is issuing
( )
14. My sister and I _____ a good time at the park yesterday.
(1) had (2) has
(3) have (4) having
( )
15. The furniture in the house _____ getting old, we will need to buy new
beds, chairs and tables as replacement.
(1) was (2) are
(3) were (4) is
( )
16. The teacher decided to ______ us a quiz next Monday.
(1) give (2) gives
(3) gave (4) giving
( )
17. Someone ______ knocking at the door, could you please see who it is
please?
(1) were (2) is
(3) have been (4) are
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) blessings (B) popular (C) generation (D) duration
(E) soaking (F) celebrate (G) start (H) useless
Songkran Festival is one of the most (18)_________ festivals in
Thailand. It falls on 13 April. Depending on where in Thailand, the festival
90

(19)__________may vary. During the festival, everyone gets
(20)________wet but people are happy because of that.
Songkran Festival is also known as Public Spring Cleaning Day. It is
believed that people have to get rid of anything old and
(21)____________to avoid bad luck.
Today, the younger (22)_________will also pour water into the hands
of the elderly and their parents to show respect and seek (23)__________
from them.
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) over (B) of (C) with (D) across
(E) at (F) on (G) above (H) down
Mrs Linda Lee is looking (24)_________ her old photographs
together with her youngest daughter, June. Mrs Lee wanted to share her
childhood memories (25)________ her child. They came (26)___________ a
photograph (27)___________Mrs Lee with her best friend Susan when
they were in Primary 3. Looking at these old photographs is like taking a stroll
(28)______memory lane for Mrs Lee. She will never forget the good times
that she had when she was young. She was of the same age as June back
91

then. Some of the photographs have become faded (29)_________time but
the memories of the wonderful time that she had when she was young is
something that will always remain with her.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
There was a certain village wherein no one lived but really rich
peasants, and just one poor one, whom they called the little peasant.
He had not even so much as a cow, and still less money to buy one, and
yet he and his wife did so wish to have one. One day he said to her, “Listen, I
have a good idea, there is James, the carpenter, I shall ask him to make us a
wooden calf, and paint it brown, so that it looks like any other, and in time it
will certainly get big and become a cow.” His wife liked the idea too, and, so
they approached James to cut and plan the calf, and then paint it as it ought
to be, and made it with its head hanging down as if it were eating.
Next morning when the cows were being driven out, the little peasant
called the cow-herd in and said, “Look, I have a little calf here, but it is still
small and has to be carried.” The cow-herd said, “All right,” and he took it in
his arms and carried it to the pasture, and set it among the grass. The little
calf always remained standing like one which was eating, and the cow-herd
said to himself, “It will soon run by itself, just look at how well it is eating
already!”
(Adopted from “The little Peasant”- Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grim.)
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30. What was special about the village where “the little peasant” lived?
(1) No one lived there.
(2) Except for “the little peasant”, only rich peasants lived there.
(3) Everyone was poor.
(4) Everyone was small.
( )
31. What was true about “The little peasant”?
(1) He had many things.
(2) He was rich.
(3) He lived alone.
(4) He did not have a cow.
( )
32. What kind of calf did “the little peasant” bring to the cow-herd?
(1) It was a real calf
(2) It was a wooden calf
(3) It loved eating
(4) It was healthy
( )
33. What was the colour of the calf?
(1) black
(2) brown
(3) white
(4) Black and white
34. The little calf___________.
(1) always remained standing like one which was eating
(2) always laid down
(3) always ate
(4) was sold by the cow-herd
( )
( )
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Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
It was Claire’s dream since the time when she is
(35)
a child to visit Africa. She had seen zebras and girafes
(36)
in
the zoo but she would like nothing better than to see them in their natural
habitat. Now, at the age of 22, she can ride a horse. She has been working
hard to make her dream come true. Last week, she applies
(37)
for a Research Assistant position in a research institutetion
(38)
in Africa. She is hoping that her application will be
successful and that she would be able to go to Africa soon.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
Children can cook provided that they (39)___________ the
instructions closely. You can always be the one that help them with the
cooking. First, ask your children to (40)______ on an apron and
(41)_________ their hands. They also need to wear a pair of plastic gloves.
You should introduce the ingredients and explain the steps slowly before they
(42)________. Next, let the children (43)_________ their hands at cooking
94

while you stand beside them. Do not criticise or offer help too quickly so that
they can (44)_________to manage by themselves. Only provide help when
they encounter problems. Hopefully, you and your children will have fun
together through this cooking lesson.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. Mr Lee is old. He can still play sports.
Although_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
46. Andy could not go to his friend’s birthday party. He fell ill.
________________________________________________because
______________________________________________________
47. My sister slipped and hurt herself. She was crossing the street.
__________________________________________________when
______________________________________________________
95

Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Olives are small, bitter, egg-shaped black or green fruits, used as food
and for making oil. The olives we eat are salty, not sweet. In fact, olives are
bitter. However, the special substance that makes olives bitter can be
removed by soaking olives for a period of time in salt solution. That is why
the olives we eat are salty.
Olives grow on small trees that can live for centuries if they received
proper care. Some olives trees are said to be more than two thousand years
old.
Olive oil is regarded as a wonderful cooking ingredient. The Italians
especially like to use olive oil. Fully ripe olives are crushed and oil is pressed
from the pulp. In ancient Greece, the Greeks also used olive oil to bathe.
48. What is the general description of olives?
49. How can we remove the bitter taste of olives?
96

50. What is the life span of an olive tree?
51. Give two examples of what olive oil can be used for.
52. How is olive oil extracted?
End of Paper
97

Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 4
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
All staff and students are encouraged to attend this
event!
Guest of honour
Mr Lee Yong Tan
Date: 24 Nov 2009
Time: 4pm-6pm
Venue: Bishan Stadium
Attire: PE attire and track shoes
Registration fee:
Adult : $5
Child : $2
Lucky draw prize
1 st prize: $200
2 nd prize; $100
3rd prize: $50
You can register at MTU’s General Office
from 1st Nov to 15th Nov.
For enquiries, please call Ms Yun at
65897453.
Organizer :
- PE department
- MTU High School
Sponsored by
Bishan GRC
i
98

1. Who is the organiser of this event?
(1) PE Department
(2) Bishan GRC
(3) MTU High School
(4) Lee Yong Tan School
2. How much is the second prize for the lucky draw?
(1) $50 (2) $100
(3) $200 (4) $5
( )
( )
3. You should call 65897453 if you want to ________
(1) seek answers to any enquiries
(2) pay the fee
(3) register
(4) get the prize ( )
4. What is the attire for the event?
(1) Business (2) PE attire and track shoes
(3) Casual (4) Anything
( )
5. When is the last day of registration?
(1) 24 Nov 2009
(2) 1 Nov 2009
(3) 15 Nov 2009
(4) 30 Nov 2009 ( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. The response to the ticket sales for the play was ______. All tickets
were sold out in two days.
(1) overcoming (2) overwhelming
(3) overpowering (4) overbearing
( )
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7. Jane is waiting for her father to _____ her home after school.
(1) fetch (2) rush
(3) chase (4) pick
( )
8. The _____ is checking the manuscript for errors before sending it for
publishing.
(1) author (2) editor
(3) illustrator (4) auditor
( )
9. He is _____ for the atrocious deeds that he committed against the
weaker members of his tribe.
(1) proud (2) infamous
(3) anonymous (4) arrogant
( )
10. Lim jumped for _____ when he found out that he was the winner of the
competition.
(1) joy (2) fun
(3) delight (4) thrill
( )
11. He was lying on the grass to _____ at the beautiful stars, when he saw a
shooting star.
(1) stare (2) peep
(3) gaze (4) glare
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (I,2 , 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. Samuel and Sean _______ to the park every morning.
(1) go (2) goes
(3) went (4) is going
( )
100

13. Do you know ______ to get to that place? I am not sure which route to
take.
(1) when (2) who
(3) how (4) what ( )
14. She ______ her teeth when the telephone rang.
(1) brushes (2) brushed
(3) is brushing (4) was brushing
( )
15. Although they all sing very well, I personally feel that Simon is the
_____ singer.
(1) good (2) better
(3) best (4) worse
( )
16. I have decided to choose John as he is the _____ of the two boys.
(1) fit (2) fittest
(3) most fit (4) fitter
( )
17. We _______ invited him to the party but he _____ not told us if he is
coming.
(1) have… has (2) had… had
(3) had…. have (4) have…. had
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) weigh (B) pets (C) survive (D) species
(E) heavy (F) wander (G) diet (H) length
Turtles have been living on earth since the time of the dinosaurs.
Their armoured shells help them to (18)__________ through the ages.
101

There are many different (19)__________ of turtles. The
leatherback sea turtle has a shell that is approximately two hundred metres
in (20) ________while the freshwater turtles’ shell length is only fifteen
centimetres. Some (21)_______ only a few grams while others are as
(22)__________as a horse.
It is interesting that many freshwater turtles, for example terrapins,
can be kept as (23)_________. They eat leafy green and terrapin pellets.
Terrapins often live in warm climate.
Turtles move very slowly and it is very easy to catch them by their
shells.
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) as (B) but (C) when (D) so
(E) forward (F) after (G) thus (H) although
Jasmine’s mother had just given a birth to a baby. Jasmine has been
looking (24) ________ to the arrival of her baby brother for a long time and
she was elated when she first set eyes on him. (25)_________ Jasmine first
saw the baby, she was amazed at how tiny his toes and fingers were. She told
her parents to let her carry him (26)___________ she was not allowed to do
102

so.
Yesterday, Jasmine tidied up her room (27)_________ that the baby
cot could be placed in her room. (28)__________ she had to share the room
with her brother, she did not mind it at all.
Her baby brother was named Jimmy after her grandfather
(29)_________he resembled him a lot.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
According to Confucian tradition, filial piety is a great virtue to be
extolled and the primary duty of all Chinese. The traditional meaning of filial
piety emphasizes love, respect and loyalty towards one’s parents during their
lifetime and taking good care of them when they grow old. Filial piety,
however, does not mean complete obedience to one’s parents. In fact, some
Confucian scholars believed that the adult child should point out their
parent’s mistakes and advise them accordingly. Filial piety in the traditional
sense also emphasises ancestral worship as it was considered important that
the love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors continued even after
their deaths. After his parents’ deaths, the eldest son of a family is required
to perform ritual sacrifices at the site of his parents’ graves or at the
temple, for example, by not cutting his hair for three years. Bringing honour
to the family by passing the Imperial Examinations and producing a male
descendant was also part and parcel of filial conduct in old Chinese culture.
Stories about what constitutes filial piety abound in Chinese history and you
103

can read more about them in books such as “The Twenty-Four Examples of
Filial Piety”.
However, the definition of what constitutes filial piety has changed
somewhat with the passing of time. First, there is less emphasis today on
ancestral worship as a key aspect of filial piety. Second, there is also less
emphasis on the ritualistic aspects such as not cutting your hair for three
years and living at your parent’s grave site for an extended period of time.
Third, although bringing honour to one’s family is still considered to be a
desirable thing for many Chinese and Asian societies, it is not seen as a
primary filial duty. Lastly, and most importantly, with greater equality
between men and women in the society, producing a male descendent is no
longer seen as the most important aspect of filial piety. Nonetheless, the
essence of what constitutes filial piety has remained unchanged.
30. In Confucian tradition, filial piety is _________________.
(1) unimportant
(2) old fashioned
(3) a good value that should be preserved
(4) love and respect for one’s peers
( )
31. According to the passage, filial piety means that a child must
__________.
(1) obey his parents even if they make mistakes
(2)
love, respect and be loyal towards his or her parents and look
after them when they grow old.
(3) be totally loyal and help cover up his parent’s mistakes
(4) submit to his parents’ wishes completely
( )
104

32. What is NOT one of the changes in the definition of filial piety from the
past to the present?
(1) Ancestral worship is not as important now as in the past.
(2) There is less emphasis on rituals now as compared to the past.
(3) Producing a male descendent is not a primary filial duty.
(4) Now, children should not bring honour to the family.
( )
33. In the past, what must children do immediately after their parents’
death?
(1) Get married and produce descendents.
(2) Forget about their parents.
(3) Perform ritual sacrifices at their parents’ graves
(4) Commit suicide to show their grief.
( )
34. Producing a male descendent is no longer seen as the most important
aspect of filial piety now because _____________.
(1) male descendents have become less filial
(2) of greater equality between man and woman
(3) only the female descendents practise filial piety
(4) greater equality means that no one needs to be filial.
( )
Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
Johnny was a poor, illiteral
(35)
boy who became an
educated and very successful person. This did not
happened
(36)
by chance, instead, it was the result of his hard
work over the years. Johnny started out as a waiter in Jin Restaurant. He
was so hardworking that the owner of the restaurant decided to promoeted
105

(37)
him to the manager position. Johnny then decided to
studied
(38)
part-time so that he could read and write. He
did so well in his studies that he managed to get himself enrolled in the
university after a few years. Later, Johnny went on to start his own food
catering business and he now owned five restaurants all over Singapore.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
It was 11 o’clock in the morning. My classmates and I were having
Music lesson when the fire alarm (39)__________. When we heard the
alarm, we hurried towards the assembly area. I was terrified when I suddenly
realised that my best friend, Kathy, had (40)___________. I looked
(41)___________ frantically for her and called out her name loudly. The
situation was chaotic, and I became even (42)_________panicky. My (43)
__________ was in a knot as I paced around nervously looking for her.
Fortunately, just then, my teacher caught (44)___________of Kathy. She
had joined another class by mistake. I was so happy to see Kathy that I let
out a cry of relief.
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Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. I like watching TV. I like reading books.
___________________________________________________and
______________________________________________________
46. I do not like Jane. She is very mean.
________________________________________________because
______________________________________________________
47. “We are going to visit Uncle Smith tomorrow”, my mom told me.
My mom told me that______________________________________
______________________________________________________
Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In ancient times, bread was cooked under the embers. The use of
ovens was introduced into Europe by the Romans, who had found them in
Egypt. However, most people continued to favour the old style of baking
bread right up to the tenth century. For instance, in the tenth century,
Raimbold, abbot of the monastery of St. Thierry, near Rheims, ordered in his
will that on the day of his death, bread cooked under the embers should be
given to his monks. By feudal law, the lord was bound to bake the bread of his
107

people, for which they were taxed, but most times, the people preferred to
cook their bread at home in the embers of their own hearths, rather than
carry it to the public oven.
The custom of leavening bread dough by the addition of a ferment,
such as yeast, was also not widely practised by the people living in ancient
times. As the dough without leaven could only produce a heavy and
indigestible bread, they were careful in those days to make their bread
loaves very thin in order to ensure that they were thoroughly cooked. It was
only at the end of the sixteenth century that bakers used yeast for baking
bread.
( Adapted from “ Manners, Customs, and Dress during the Middle Ages, and
during the Renaissance Period” by Paul Lacroix.)
48. Which word in the passage has the meaning as “a piece of wood or coal
that stays red and very hot after a fire has stopped burning”?
49. Who was responsible for introducing the use of ovens into Europe?
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50. Why did the people, who lived during the times of the feudal lords,
prefer to bake their bread at home?
51. What was not a common practice for making bread during ancient times?
52. Why did the people who lived during ancient times make their loaves very
thin?
End of Paper
109

Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 5
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Marks
Section A: Graphics Stimulus (5 marks).
Study the following flyer and then answer Questions 1 to 5.
A Trendy United Studios Production
Gmart Supermarket is giving away 30 pairs of movie tickets to the
latest fiction movie, featuring Michael Neo.
A special show will be held at Tanjong Pagar Cinema on 20 th Jan 2009.
HOW TO WIN THE TICKETS?
All you need to do is tell us why you want to watch
the movie. Your entry should not be longer than 50
words. Write down your name, ID, address and
telephone number.
Send your entry to
Gmart Supermarket
35 Clementi Road
The entry should reach the company before 5 th Jan 2009
1. What is the name of the movie mentioned in the poster?
(1) Tanjong Pagar
(2) Superman
(3) Gmart Supermarket
(4) Trendy
( )
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2. When is the date of the show?
(1) 30 th Jan 2009 (2) 5 th Jan 2009
(3) 6 th Jan 2009 (4) 20 th Jan 2009
3. Where is the venue of the show?
(1) Gmart Suprmarket
(2) Clementi Cinema
(3) Tanjong Pagar Cinema
(4) The poster does not provide information
( )
( )
4. Victor wants to see the show. He has to send his entry by ___________
(1) 5 th Jan 2009 (2) 6 th Jan 2009
(3) 20 th Jan 2009 (4) 21 st Jan 2009
( )
5. How can you win tickets to the show?
(1) Shop at Gmart Supermarket.
(2) Write to Michael Neo.
(3) Send in an entry stating why you like the movie in 50 words.
(4) Just fill up the entry form.
( )
Section B: Vocabulary (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
6. My mother asked me to get a _____ of milk from the refrigerator.
(1) box (2) carton
(3) few (4) basket
( )
7. The movie was so ______ that I almost fell asleep.
(1) silly (2) boring
(3) bored (4) exciting
( )
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8. James took a _______ stroll in the park.
(1) leisurely (2) slow
(3) fast (4) slowly
( )
9. My mother bought me a new pair of ____ when she went shopping at the
mall yesterday.
(1) sandals (2) slipper
(3) sandal (4) shoe
( )
10. My grandmother is very _____ and everyone loves her.
(1) lousy (2) kind
(3) useless (4) kindness
( )
11. “Wow, the ___________of whales over there is very impressive”, Joe
exclaimed.
(1) school (2) group
(3) fleet (4) flight
( )
Section C: Grammar (6 marks)
Choose the most suitable answer and write its number (I,2 , 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.
12. John was the ______ boy in the world because he won five awards.
(1) happy (2) happier
(3) happiest (4) most happy
( )
13. When the bell rang, the people _____ out of their houses.
(1) rush (2) was rushing
(3) rushed (4) were rushing
( )
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14. Mrs Chen ______ the door after everybody had gone home.
(1) locks (2) locked
(3) was locking (4) lock
( )
15. Justin ______ to the bakery to _______ the birthday cake for the
party tomorrow.
(1) went… bought (2) went…. buy
(3) goes… bought (4) go… buy
( )
16. “Did you buy any presents for Jane and ________?” Michelle asked her
parents.
(1) I (2) mine
(3) me (4) myself
( )
17. Did Anna _______ the book that I asked her to?
(1) buy (2) bought
(3) buys (4) is buying
( )
Section D: Vocabulary Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box and fill
in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) realised (B) down (C) stay (D) informed
(E) caught (F) regretted (G) freedom (H) disappeared
When the little robin first learned to fly and sing, its mother kept
telling him, “(18)__________away from human beings when you are singing or
you will be (19)__________and put in a cage.”
The little robin heard his mother’s warning so many times that he
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started to play it (20)_________. It loved (21)_________ and it flew
wherever it liked and sang whenever it pleased.
One day, the little robin flew to a garden and started singing.
Suddenly, it felt something close over it and (22)_________ too late that it
was caught in a net. It was then put into a cage and the little robin
(23)___________ letting its mother’s advice fall on deaf ears.
Section E: Grammar Cloze (6 marks)
Part I: Read the passage below. Choose the most suitable word from the box
and fill in the blanks. Use each word ONCE only.
(A) will take (B) take (C) are taking (D) ) is taking
(E) takes (F) have taken (G) took (H) had taken
Hugo decided to (24)___________ up drawing lessons early this
year. Every Sunday, his father (25)________ him to an art teacher for
lessons. There will be a drawing competition in Hugo’s school next month and
he is looking forward to taking part in it. Last week, Hugo’s father
(26)_________him to the art teacher’s house everyday for him to practice
drawing. Hugo hopes to win the competition this year. Most of his friends
(27)________ part in the competition too. If he wins the school competition,
he (28)_______ part in the city competition. His cousins, who
(29)_________ part in numerous drawing competition, have given him some
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useful tips on what he should do to improve his drawing.
Section F: Comprehension MCQ (5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Now let us turn to the Solar System, and consider the members of
our own little colony.
Within the Solar System there are many problems that interest us.
What are the size, mass, and distance of each of the planets? What
satellites, like our Moon, do they possess? What are their temperatures? And
those other, sporadic members of our system, comets and meteors, what are
they? What are their movements like? How do they originate? And the Sun
itself, what is its composition, what is the source of its heat, how did it
originate? Is it running down?
These last questions introduce us to a branch of astronomy which is
concerned with the physical constitution of the stars, a study which, not so
very many years ago, may well have appeared inconceivable. But the
spectroscope enables us to answer even these questions, and the answer
opens up questions of yet greater interest. We find that the stars can be
arranged in an order of development—that there are stars at all stages of
their life-history. The main lines of the evolution of the stellar universe can
be worked out. In the sun and stars we have furnaces with temperatures
enormously high; it is in such conditions that substances are resolved into
their simplest forms, and it is thus we are enabled to obtain knowledge of the
most primitive forms of matter.
( Adapted from “ The Outline of Science”, edited by J, Arthur Thomson)
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30. What is the passage mainly about?
(1) weather
(2) the Solar System
(3) geography
(4) topography
( )
31. What is the device that can help scientists answer the questions raised
in the passage?
(1) airplane
(2) arrow
(3) binoculars
(4) spectroscope
( )
32. According to the passage, the stars can be arranged in an order of
__________
(1) development
(2) size
(3) weight
(4) temperatures
( )
33. In the sun and stars, we have furnaces with __________
(1) gas
(2) nothing
(3) temperatures enormously high
(4) a strange substance
( )
34. Which of the following statements is true?
(1) The spectroscope enables scientists to answer all the questions.
(2) The spectroscope does not help scientists at all.
(3) The scientists find nothing about the Solar System.
(4)
The spectroscope enables scientists to answer questions and the
answer opens up new questions of yet greater interest.
( )
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Section G: Editing (4 marks)
Correct each word in bold for spelling and each underlined word for grammar.
Write the correct word in the relevant box.
There was a crowd outside the shopping mall. Jimmy was burning with
cureous
(35)
, so he decided to find out what was happening.
“Why is everyone crowding around?” he asks
(36)
the lady next to him. “The security guards have caught a theif,”
(37)
she replied. Just then, Jimmy saw a man being questioned by
some security guards. The man had with him many handbags and clothes and
he was appeared to be extremely nervous. Jimmy guessed that the man had
been catch
(38)
red-handed.
Section H: Comprehension Cloze (6 marks)
Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable word.
Jane and Linda are close friends but they are very different in
character, so much so that it is hard to believe that the two of them are very
attached to one another. Jane is very lively and funny. She is very sociable
and has (39)_______ friends. She is also very resourceful and reliable. She
is the monitoress in class so the teacher (40)_______her many duties.
Linda, on the other (41)________, is very quiet. Apart from Jane,
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she has few friends as she rather enjoys (42)________ alone. She does not
talk much in class or to her classmates. However, this does not
(43)_________ that she is rude or proud. If anyone needs her help, she is
always willing to lend a helping hand.
(44)________ Jane and Linda are different, they enjoy being together
and they are still best friends.
Section I: Synthesis and Transformation (3x2 marks)
For each of the questions, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s)
provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence
must be the same as the meaning of the given sentence(s).
45. I did not go to class. I had a splitting headache.
________________________________________________because
______________________________________________________
46. I like talking to Jane. Jane like taking to me.
Both__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
47. “I will go to Africa tomorrow”, Michelle told Nick.
Michelle told Nick that_____________________________________
______________________________________________________
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Section J: Comprehension Open-ended (5 x 2 marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Very few people like crocodiles. Crocodiles have cruel eyes and
huge jaws full of teeth that often scare people. After catching its prey, a
crocodile often hides its prey underground and eats it when the flesh is
rotten. A crocodile catches its prey by quietly swimming close to it and, then,
snapping at its victims with its jaws and dragging it under water to drown it.
All kinds of animals such as cats, dogs, deer, snakes, fish, smaller crocodiles
and even human beings can be a crocodile’s meal. Despite having such a large
number of teeth, a crocodile is unable to chew on meat. Instead, it breaks up
its food by shaking its head violently from side to side or rolling its body to
tear the flesh from the dead animals.
Another important weapon of a crocodile is its tail. When
lashing its long tail, a crocodile creates such a great force that it can knock
off any man or animal. It is its huge tail that allows it to swim.
48. According to the passage, why are people afraid of crocodiles?
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49. How does a crocodile catch its prey?
50. What does a crocodile often do with its prey after catching it?
51. What does a crocodile eat?
52. What is special about a crocodile’s tail?
End of Paper
120

Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 1
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
4 2 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 3 3 2 3 2 4 1 2
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
B A E D H F E B D C F A 4 2 4 1 2
35) pastime 36) There 37) love 38) going 39) ripen
40) eldest 41) consented 42) rustling 43) beak 44) wealth
45) Yesterday they went to Orchard Road and City Hall.
46) Both John and I love playing badminton.
47) My mother was reading a book when I went into her room.
48) Frank would try to make her cry by slapping her hands with books, hoop-sticks,
shoes or anything that could give her a good stinging blow.
49) The author’s favourite pastime was to play with Frank in the long galleries of a
piano manufactory behind their house.
50) Frank refused to let the author join in the football game with Billy because he
thought football was too rough for girls.
51) The six girls’ favourite pastime was playing with dolls and dollhouses.
52) They stopped being friends in the end because Frank betrayed the author when
she broke her mother’s vase.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 2
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2 4 3 3 1 2 1 2 2 3 1 3 3 3 3 4 1
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
G E C B F A B H C E A F 1 2 3 2 1
35) speak 36) moment 37) is 38)customer 39) beaten
40) challenge 41) accept 42) boasting 43) darted 44) win
45) Although Smith was sick, he still came to class.
46) My father was reading the newspaper while I was watching TV.
47) Both Joe and I like collecting stamps.
48) The Frogs lived as happily as could be in a marshy swamp that was just nice for
them and they were free to do what they like.
49) Some of the frogs thought that they should have a king and a proper
constitution.
50) He probably thought the Frogs did not really need a king.
51) The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion and rushed to
the bank to look at the horrible monster.
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52) The Frogs regretted asking for a “second king” but it was too late.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 3
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2 3 4 2 4 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 4 1 1
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
A D H E F B A E B C G F 3 3 1 4 2
35)days 36) greatest 37) famous 38) audience 39) money
40) different 41) beautiful 42) distinguish 43)immediately 44) pretended
45) I was talking to John when our teacher entered the classroom.
46) I was very tired because I had a long day at school.
47) Both my father and I love reading books.
48) The Fairies had cakes of flower-dust on a broad green leaf, a crimson
strawberry, cream from the yellow milkweed and dew from the flowers' bright
leaves for their breakfast in the field.
49) The Queen sent messengers bearing costly gifts to the Frost-King’s court.
50) The messengers wilted eventually.
51) Primrose did not feel as sad as Violet because she felt that they should not let
the sorrows of others disturb their happiness.
52) It was because the sun was getting warm and she wanted to leave before she
withered in the warm light.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 4
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1 3 1 2 4 2 1 2 3 1 3 3 2 1 3 1 4
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
E D F B A C B C G A F D 2 3 1 3 1
35)decided 36) beach 37) weather 38) had 39) unwilling
40) help 41) chasing 42) agree 43)effective 44) service
45) Mervin, who is tall and dark, is my teacher.
46) John told me that he would be going to Japan the following week.
47) Although Jenny was sick, she still went to class.
48) Merlin was the most learned and skilful enchanter in the world in the year 516.
49) Merlin stopped at the cottage of a ploughman because he was very tired and he
wanted to rest and have some refreshment.
50) The ploughman and his wife were sad because they had no children.
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51) The fairy queen promised Merlin that the ploughman and his wife’s wish would be
granted because she found it an interesting idea to have such a little person among
the human race.
52) The fairy queen named the baby “Tom Thumb” because he was no bigger than his
father’s thumb.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 1 - Mock Paper 5
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
3 2 3 4 2 2 2 3 2 3 1 3 1 1 3 2 3
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
D B E A C F D B F C A E 4 1 3 4 2
35)tournament 36)best 37) unfortunately 38) beaten 39) dried
40) wet 41) live 42) cautious 43)were 44) decisions
45) I still love this dress although it is more expensive than that one,.
46) My mom said that we would be going to the zoo the next day.
47) John, who is very kind to me, is talking to my mother.
48) He lived with his wife in a pigsty near the sea.
49) The fish was not a real fish but an enchanted prince and it could talk.
50) He put the fish back into the water.
51) They lived very wretchedly in their nasty dirty pigsty.
52) She wanted a snug little cottage.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 1
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2 3 2 1 1 2 1 3 3 4 2 4 3 3 1 2 4
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
F B C D G A G A D B C H 2 4 3 2 2
35) flew 36) amazing 37) eat 38) ourselves 39)determined
40) keen 41) attention 42) at 43) spent 44) subject
45) Both Jane and her brothers have big eyes.
46) Henry made a mistake but he did not apologize.
47) Although he tried very hard, he could not find the answer to the question.
48) Literature is a mere play of imagination, pleasing enough, but without any serious
or practical importance.
49) Literature preserves the ideals of a people, which are the part of human life
most worthy of preservation.
50) The word is “reverence”.
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51) “Democracy” is the ideal of a free and equal manhood.
52) The word is “mighty”.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 2
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
3 4 2 1 3 3 2 1 1 3 4 3 2 4 3 4 2
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
D C E A B F D A E G C B 2 3 1 4 3
35) astronaut 36) giant 37) successful 38) brought 39) sad
40) have 41) migrating 42)difficult 43) miss 44) forever
45). I dislike this book because it is very boring.
46) John told Joe that he would visit his grandpa the next day.
47) Both Alice and her sister love roses.
48) An important phase of woodcraft is the ability to find the way in the wilderness
by means of natural signs as well as the compass.
49) The signs will then be useless.
50) The word is “topography”.
51) I will be looking towards the east.
52) My right finger will point to the south and my left finger will point to the north,
Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 3
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
3 2 1 1 4 3 2 1 1 3 2 4 2 1 4 1 2
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
B D E H C A E C D B H A 2 4 2 2 1
35) was 36) giraffes 37) applied 38) institution 39) follow
40) put 41) wash 42) start 43) try 44) learn
45) Although Mr Lee is old, he can still play sports.
46) Andy could not go to his friend’s birthday party because he fell ill.
47) My sister slipped and hurt herself when she was crossing the street.
48) Olives are small, bitter, egg-shaped black or green fruits, used as food and for
making oil.
49) The bitter taste can be removed by soaking olives for a period of time in salt
solution
50) It can live for centuries.
51) Olive oil can be used for cooking and bathing.
52) Fully ripe olives are crushed and oil is pressed from the pulp.
124

Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 4
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
3 2 1 2 3 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 3 4 3 4 1
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
C D H A E B E C B D H A 3 2 4 3 2
35) illiterate 36) happen 37) promote 38) study 39) sounded
40) disappeared 41) around 42) more 43) stomach 44) sight
45) I like watching TV and reading books.
46) I do not like Jane because she is very mean.
47) My mom told me that we were going to visit Uncle Smith the next day.
48) The word is “ember”.
49) The use of ovens was introduced into Europe by the Romans.
50) They had to pay tax to the feudal lord for using the public oven.
51) The custom of leavening the dough by the addition of a ferment was not a
common practice during ancient times.
52) They made their loaves very thin to ensure that they would be thoroughly
cooked.
Answers to Semestral Assessment 2 - Mock Paper 5
Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2 4 3 1 3 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 3 2 2 3 1
Q 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
C E B G A F B E G C A F 2 4 1 3 4
35) curiosity 36) asked 37) thief 38) caught 39) many
40) gives 41) hand 42) being 43) mean 44) Although
45). I did not go to class because I had a splitting headache.
46) Both Jane and I like talking to each other.
47) Michelle told Nick that she would go to Africa the next day.
48) They are afraid of crocodiles’ cruel eyes and huge jaws.
49) A crocodile catches its prey by quietly swimming close to it, then snapping at the
victims with its jaws and dragging it under water to drown it.
50) After catching its prey, a crocodile often hides its prey underground and eats it
when the flesh is rotten.
51) It eats all kinds of animals, including cats, dogs, deer, snakes, fish, smaller
crocodile and even human beings.
52) Its tail enables the crocodile to swim and to knock off its prey be it a man or
animal.
125