VIKUTSA SECONDARY SCHOOL

P .O . BOX 67 - 50116, KAMBIRI

END TERM EXAM 2024
101/2

ENGLISH
PAPER 2
[Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar]
TIME: 2½ HOURS

NAME……………………………………………………. ADM NO; ……………………

CLASS……………………………………………………… DATE………………………

SIGN: ………………………………………………………..

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
 Write your Name, Index number and the Date in the spaces provided above.
 Answer all the questions in this paper.
 All your answers must be written in the spaces provided in this question paper.
 All working must be clearly shown where necessary

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

Questions Maximum score Candidate’s score
1 20
2 25
3 20
4 15
Total score 80
1. COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 20 MARKS
Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow
You may think that expecting food to change your life is too much to ask. But have you considered
that eating the right food at the right time will increase energy, help you manage weight and
ward off major illness?

Researchers have found that eating a meal with plenty of protein leaves you feeling more satisfied
for longer when compared to a meal loaded with low - quality carbohydrates. Your body takes
longer to digest protein, leading to a gradual increase in blood sugar. The high protein breakfast
will therefore carry you through the morning and more importantly, through your tea break,
many high carbohydrate meals are absorbed quickly and send blood sugar on a roller coaster
ride, taking your appetite with it and depleting your energy.

Many foods contain antioxidants, but fruits and vegetables may be the richest source. Behaving like
chemical warriors, antioxidants neutralize molecules known as free radicals before they damage
arteries and body cells. This protects you from heart diseases, high blood pressure, cancer and
diabetes. You can now see why antioxidant foods should be consumed in generous portions

Actually, forget pills – antioxidants work best when consumed in foods. In fact, nutritionists
recommend that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. It’s less daunting than it sounds:
a portion equals a piece of fruit, three tablespoons of cooked vegetables or a glass of fresh juice.

And do you desire to relive yourself of some baggage? Calcium is the latest weight – loss star to appear
on the scene. Scientists stumbled on its magic by accident. From study that measured the blood
pressure of obese people. It was discovered that those who took one large tub of yoghurt a day in
their diet lost an average of eleven pounds of body fat in one year, even though they did not eat less.

A follow- up study found that people on a high calcium diet lost weight and fat than did people on
a low – calcium diet - and again, both consumed the same number of calories. Researchers believe
calcium encourages fat cells to stop “ getting father” instead, the cells burn extra fat without you
having to go anywhere near a gymnasium.

It probably sounds strange to say that you can eat more in order to lose weight. Obviously, the question
you should ask immediately is, “Eat more of what?” We are talking about foods rich in fibre. They
have what is referred to as low- energy density; that translates to few calories relative to weight.
This means that you can down a mountain without fear of calories overload.

Fibre also aids weight loss because it’s filling. Most high - fibre foods take a lot of chewing, triggering
your body’s fullness sensors. Moreover, you absorb the food more slowly so you feel full longer.
Will the wonders of food ever cease? No if researchers in nutrition keep their pace. Let them keep the
good news flowing- such as the fact that we don’t have to starve ourselves to lose weight and keep
diseases at bay.
(Adapted from Reader’s Digest, January 2004

(a) From the information given in the first paragraph, how can you improve your life? (1 mark)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) In not more than 35 words, summarize the effects of eating carbohydrates (4 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) Explain how free radicals contribute to the occurrence of high blood pressure and cancer
(2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(d) In what two forms can antioxidants be consumed (2 marks)

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

(e) In fact, nutritionists recommend that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetable a day.”(1 mark)
(f)What is the attitude of the author towards calcium as a weight – cutting measure? (3 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(g) According to the passage, how can you use up excess fat? (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(h) Identify an instance of irony in the passage ( 2 marks)

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

(i) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage (3 marks)
a. Daunting
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Baggage
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Down a mountain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. EXCERPT 25 MARKS
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow
First, there was a loud crash. Some moving object had hit another moving object. A trailer hooked to
a truck negotiating a turn at a roundabout had broken free, spun outward, and ended up on top of
a minibus in an adjacent lane.
The drivers of both vehicles had then run away. They had done so to avoid mob justice. Now the
passengers in the unlucky minibus were struggling to get out, except for one—a woman trapped
in a seat.
A man had seen her on his way out. He tried to go back in and get her out, but all doors had jammed.
He pulled a mobile phone out of his pocket and called the mystical number — 999 — to report
distress and request help.
The hour was ten in the morning. Onlookers started arriving. First, they only gawked, fascinated by
the spectacle of a trailer sitting on top of a minibus. Goodness, how did it get there! Later, their
attention moved down to the woman trapped inside the minibus. "Look," said one onlooker. A
beautiful girl was trapped in her seat.
She was still conscious. "She is fine, then," said another onlooker. "Come on," said the first onlooker.
"A heavy trailer is sitting on her minibus, so how can she be fine?" When the onlookers became a
crowd, they tried to push the trailer off the minibus.
They failed. Then a big van appeared...

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

b) Give the character traits of the following: (6 marks)

The man_

The onlookers

The drivers

c) From elsewhere in the novel, how does conflict arise between Kimani and Asiya over the death of
their daughter? (4 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d) How is dialogue significant in this excerpt? (4 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Identify and explain one stylistic device used in the extract. (3 marks)

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

f) "The hour was ten in the morning." Rewrite this statement beginning with: (1 mark)
It

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

Fascinated

Conscious

3. ORAL NARRATIVE (20 marks)

Read the narrative below and answer the questions that follow.
THE WISE MAN AND HIS SONS
A long time ago there was a wise old man who was respected throughout Kenya because of his
wisdom.
When he grew old and feeble and realized that his days were coming to an end, he called his six sons
to his bedside to deliver his will.
‘My dear sons,’ he said, ‘I am growing weak and old, and one of these days am going to die and leave
you to take care of my wealth and perpetuate this family. I have great confidence in you, but I want
to warn you that unless you live in unity and harmony you could easily get destroyed by your
enemies.’
‘We promise you father,’ they replied, ‘that we shall live in unity, and we shall uphold the respect you
gained over the years, and we shall take care of this family and defend our property.’

‘Once upon a time,’ he began, ‘cows lived in the wilderness like other wild beasts. They grazed in the
jungle in large herds and were not afraid of the other animals. But they were constantly attacked by
the other strong beasts like lions, leopards, elephants and when the cows realized that they could
not live in peace in the jungle, they decided to seek help from men. They all agreed to live under
the protection of men except for three stupid sister cows. Their names were Ndune (Red), Nyange
(White), and Nguno (hornless). Ndune was as red as ochre and her eyes were fierce and had sparks
like fire when she was angry. Her horns were long, sharp, and strong and she could scare any beast.
Ndune was loved by her sisters dearly. Nyange had a white coat, as white as snow. She also had
fierce horns, but looked more peaceful than Ndune, and was not so much feared, but when she was
angry her white fur became whiter, and blinding to other animals. Nguno looked like a clown
without horns, and annoyed other animals who regarded her as an abnormal creature of God who
should not be attacked.

‘I think you know this story,’ he said

‘Yes,’ they replied, ‘but please continue, father.’
‘One day lion, who was very clever, decided to divide the three sister cows, kill them one by one, and
eat them. Lion had tried to catch them before. But the three cows had fought and killed many beasts.
Nyange and Nguno would charge their assailant from back and front while Ndune would come from
the side and, with her sharp fierce horns, fierce the enemy’s stomach, tear it open, and kill him
instantly. Lion could not kill any of them unless he divided them and attached them separately.

‘So one day the clever lion went and spoke to Ndune. He told her that she was respected in the jungle
for her fierce horns and her beautiful red coat. He told her that if she lived apart from her sisters she
would never be attacked by anyone. She would be made the duchess of the whole jungle kingdom.
Her sisters were very ugly and annoying and that is why the three of them were constantly attacked.
Ndune was very much tempted to leave her sisters when she heard what the clever lion told her.
Next the lion went to Nyange and praised her beauty. He told her that she was born a peacemaker
because of her white coat, and that she should have spent much of her time seeking peace in the
jungle. He told her that if she left her fierce and domineering sister Ndune, and also avoid the
company of her monstrous and abnormal sister Nguno, then lion would make her the beauty queen
of the jungle and find her a good husband there. Nyange was flattered and started to think about the
idea of living apart from her sisters.

‘Finally the lion went to see Nguno. He told her that she was the most peaceful cow that ever existed,
and that she was highly respected for her elegant hornless head. It was risky on her part to live with
her sisters who were constantly attacked by savage beasts because of their fierce horns and their
provocative coats. Lion promised to protect Nguno if she deserted her sisters at once. Nguno, who
was getting tired of fighting ceaseless battles was happy about this friendly gesture, and at once
decided to desert her sisters without pausing to think it over.’
No sooner did she leave her sisters than she was caught by lion and killed.
Nyange also slipped away from Ndune the following day and went to look for lion so that she could
be made the jungle queen of beauty. She too was caught and killed. Now Ndune was left alone, and
she was also caught and killed. That was the fate of the three stupid cows. Had they continued to
live together in unity, they would have lived.’

‘It is a very good story, father,’ said the six sons,’ and it has a great lesson in it. We shall continue to
live in unity.’‘

Good, my sons,’ the old man continued, ‘I am very pleased to hear that, and I know that you will not
let me down. I have one more example to show you, come closer.’ At this point he showed them
six sticks, equal in size. He gave one to each of the sons. ‘Break them in two, please,’ he
commanded. The sons broke the sticks at one go. He asked them to break them into smaller bits,
and this they did. Then he produced a bundle to his sons, and asked to pass it to one another, to
examine it closely and see how it was bound. Then he asked them to break the bundle, and they all
tried one after the other. None of them could manage to break the bundle, and he took it back intact.

‘You see, my sons,’ each one of you is like these cows or these sticks,’ he said. ‘If you are not united
you will be destroyed like the three cows that were devoured by lion, or like the six sticks you have
just destroyed. But if you stay together like this bundle of sticks, you will defeat your enemies, and
you will be able to protect your property and sustain this family.’

‘Yes, father,’ replied his sons, ‘unity is strength and we shall always remain united.’
QUESTIONS
a) Identify and explain any three features of an oral narrative found in this story. (3 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Classify the two types of narratives found in this story. (2 marks)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) What tactic does the lion use to separate the cows? (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d) Identify and illustrate the character trait of the three cows. (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Give two reasons why the old man uses the two illustrations to make his point clear instead of using
one. (3 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Give two proverbs, one similar to and one contrasting to the one used in the story (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Identify and show the effectiveness of any two styles in the story, apart from the one in (f) above.
(2marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) How would you make rendition of this narrative lively? (2 marks)

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

i) Which are the social-economic activities of the given community? (2 mark)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. GRAMMAR (15MKS)
a) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given (4mks)
i) She will not be given a driving license. She passes the road test (Rewrite as one using‘unless’)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) The woman left the child with a neighbor and went to the market. (Begin: leaving….)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
iii) The boys went to play in the field (underline the adverbial)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
iv) I didn’t give the money to my sister. I gave the money to my cousin. (Rewrite using ‘rather’)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate complex preposition (3mks)
(i) cost, it is not worth much.
(ii) I am calling..................................................................my father
(iii) We went.................................. Mombasa but we did not see the bus.

c. For each of the following sentences, use the correct form of the word in brackets to fill in the
blank space. (3 marks)
(i) Once the sun has...................................I cannot sleep any more.(rise)
(ii) How long have you..................................here? (dwell)
(iii) It is advisable that we.................................. forgive those who wrong us. (condition)

d. Fill with most appropriate collective noun (2 marks)

1. A.......................of soldiers received medals from the president.
2. A.........................of islands was submerged in the ocean when the cyclone occurred.
e. Supply the correct form of the verb in the following sentences. (3 marks)
i.All but my aunt.............................................. arrived (has/have).
ii. Both dogs................................................. chasing cars (enjoy/enjoys).
iii. The Minister as well as the Governor and the Speaker of the House…............................ present
(was/were).;