ALEXANDER ROAD HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 8 JUNE 2021

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE TOTAL = 60

SI / JN / SF / SA TASK 5 TIME = 1 ½ HR

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Number your answers according to the numbering system on the paper.
• Leave a line open after each answer.
• Answer in your own words unless you are asked to quote.
• Read each question carefully and pay close attention to the mark allocation.
• Neatness and accuracy are essential.

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

Read TEXT A, titled “A new focus for a renewed Siya Kolisi: Gender equality in sport
and life” and answer the questions that follow.

TEXT A
1. It’s a sunny Durban day as Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi sits back in his
chair, looking fit and strong as he ponders the future at a beachfront
restaurant. He is the picture of health and contentment as his life moves into
a new phase.
2. Kolisi is a busy man, yet he’s finding time to take up the fight for
gender equality.
3. “I was raised by women,” Kolisi tells DM168. “I was brought up by my
grandmother and my aunt and obviously my mother gave birth to me. There
is nothing I can do for any of them as they are not around anymore, but
there is a lot I can do for women. I have to show my gratitude to the women
in my life by striving for equality for all South Africans. It can’t be achieved
without gender equality.”
4. The British & Irish Lions are coming to South Africa for their once-in-a-
generation tour. It’s the big one outside of World Cups and every rugby
player wants to have a shot at being part of it. Kolisi is one of the lucky ones
whose peak career just happens to coincide with the Lions’ 12-yearly visit.
5. It’s unthinkable that he won’t be in the equation.
6. While his social justice interests are inextricably linked to his persona
now, he is also aware that the Lions series is looming. Equally though, Kolisi
is not focusing too much energy on the tourists because he knows he needs
to put in some good performances for the Sharks in the Rainbow Cup SA to
earn his Bok place.
7. “Honestly, I’ve been working on my own game this year and not
paying a lot of attention to the Lions,” Kolisi says. “If I’m brutally honest,
before the first two games of the Rainbow Cup SA, the last good match I had
was the World Cup final. I didn’t perform to the best of my ability so to be
thinking about the Lions is crazy in a way. I want to be there and I have been
selfish in getting myself back to my best, which will make me an asset for the
team.”
8. Although his wife Rachel and his two children and two younger siblings
have remained in Cape Town, Kolisi is happy playing for the Sharks after an
acrimonious move following 11 years at Western Province. The transfer to
Durban was set against the backdrop of a difficult buyout negotiation.
9. But it was time too. The Sharks are forward thinking. They are by far
the most transformed team in the country and, along with the Bulls, the
best. Their vision of making Durban a place where every player can be
comfortable in their own skin is a perfect fit for Kolisi.
10. He admitted his rugby had been poor in 2020 in tough lockdown
conditions and under difficult circumstances brought on by the boardroom
drama. But he also found that his massively enhanced fame as World Cup-
winning captain of the Springboks and the first black man to hold the Webb
Ellis Cup aloft took a toll on his rugby.
11. Everyone wanted a piece of him. That hasn’t changed but he has
found a way of managing his time, and most importantly, his rugby career.
12. If Kolisi was metaphorically clearing his throat as Bok skipper in 2018
and 2019, he has found his voice now. The dip in form was a small price to
pay as he discovered that his position gave him a privileged pedestal to help
others. He has done that through his foundation: feeding, housing, educating
and clothing some of the most destitute in society. That work is ongoing, and
the Bok skipper is now standing up for gender equality in sport.
13. Bok women’s player Zinhle Ndawonde was part of a gathering to mark
the relaunch of sportswear manufacturer Adidas’ “Impossible is Nothing”
campaign.
14. The difference is Ndawonde had to take a half day off work from her
job as a firefighter at Durban’s King Shaka International airport to attend.
15. “I’ve been big on pushing women in sport. Gender equality is so
important and it’s not the woman’s job to do it. We as men need to start
speaking about it,” Kolisi told DM168.
Source: Daily Maverick 168 15/05/21

Refer to TEXT A:

Refer to paragraph 1.

1.1 Where did DM168’s interview with Siya Kolisi take place? Make two
points. (2)

1.2 In your own words, based on the description in paragraph 1, describe

how Siya Kolisi is feeling at this point in his life. Quote no more than
five words from the paragraph to prove your answer. (2)

1.3 Refer to paragraph 3. Explain in your own words Siya Kolisi’s reason
for taking up the fight for gender equality even though he is such a
busy man. (2)

1.4 Refer to paragraph 4. How often do the British & Irish Lions tour in
South Africa? (1)

1.5 Refer to paragraph 5. Explain what the writer means by “part of the
equation”. (1)

1.6 Refer to paragraph 6. Summarise three things Siya Kolisi might have
on his mind according to this paragraph. (3)

1.7 Refer to paragraph 8 and 9.

1.7.1 The word “acrimonious” (par. 8) means (write only the letter
corresponding to the correct answer):

A – busy
B – unpleasant
C – enjoyable
D – acidic (1)

1.7.2 Why do you think the writer of the article started paragraph 9 with the
word “But it was time too.”? Explain your answer. (2)

1.7.3 Explain in your own words why Siya Kolisi wanted to transfer to the
Sharks. (2)
1.8 Refer to paragraph 13 and 14. How does the difference between
Zinhle Ndawonde’s and Siya Kolisi’s situations highlight the need for
gender equality? Explain your answer. (2)

1.9 Is gender equality an issue that you would have expected Siya Kolisi to
speak up about? Give a reason for your answer. (You will not be
awarded a mark for merely saying “yes” or “no” but rather for your
reasoning). (2)
TOTAL SECTION A: 20
QUESTION 2: VISUAL TEXT

Study the images in TEXT B and C below and answer the questions that follow.

TEXT B TEXT C

Sources: https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2020-04-18-siya-kolisi-helps-
out-hungry-zwide-residents/
https://pin.it/2RexWU1

Refer to TEXT B:

2.1.1 What is Siya Kolisi doing in this picture? (1)

2.1.2 Explain the link between the image and the article in TEXT A. Refer to
both TEXT A and B in your answer. (2)

2.2 How does the image influence the viewer’s perception of Siya Kolisi?
Give a reason for your answer. (2)
 Refer to TEXT C:

2.3.1 What is the occupation of the character in TEXT C? (1)

2.3.2 List two visual clues as evidence for your answer in 2.3.1. (2)

2.4 Which image do you feel will appeal more to South African rugby fans,
TEXT B or TEXT C? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

TOTAL SECTION B: 10
QUESTION 3: SUMMARY

Read the TEXT D titled “Ways to build stronger reading skills” and follow the
instructions below.

TEXT D
Reading comprehension depends on the ability to quickly sound out and
recognise words. Even after the mechanics of reading have been mastered,
many children have trouble understanding the text, making connections within
the story, and relating what they are reading to what they already know.
Fortunately, reading comprehension skills and strategies can be learned.
Even if your child can read on his own, there is value in reading aloud to him. A
child’s listening skills are usually stronger than his reading skills, so your child
can comprehend more if he reads along silently as you read the book out loud.
While your child reads or listens, encourage her to visualise the events in the
story, creating a picture or movie in her mind. After a few pages, ask her to
describe it.
When reading a book with your child, stop occasionally to ask what she thinks
might happen next. This requires her to integrate what she has learned so far
about the characters and storyline – and about the way stories are typically
organised – to anticipate the rest of the plot.
Show interest in what your child is reading. Ask her to tell you about the book
or chapter she just finished. Having to verbalise what she has read requires her
to make sense of it. If your child is unable to provide a coherent summary, read
the book yourself. Engage her in a discussion of your favourite parts and
characters, then talk about how you connected parts of the story so that it all
came together.
Reading that a character “took the bull by the horns” or “looked like he’d seen
a ghost” can confuse a child completely. Help your child understand that a
phrase that seems out of context may be a figure of speech. Together, compile
a list of expressions and what they mean.
Point out sentences in which information is implied, then ask her to fill in
what’s missing. She should understand that the statement, “George was
excited about winning top prize at his school’s science fair for the second
time,” means that George has won the science award once before.
It is easier to understand subject matter that you know something about. Help
your child select reading materials that reflect his interests and encourage him
to bring his own experiences to his understanding of a book.
Source: Adapted from - https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-reading-
comprehension/

Summarise, in your OWN WORDS, ways to build stronger reading skills

according to the above article.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Your summary must be in POINT FORM.
2. You should have SEVEN points and each point should be no longer than 12
words each.
3. Indicate the NUMBER OF WORDS of each point in brackets at the end of the
point.
4. You will be PENALISED for ignoring any of these instructions.
5. LANGUAGE CORRECTNESS will be to your advantage.

TOTAL QUESTION 3: 10
QUESTION 4: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT

Read the TEXT E and answer the questions that follow.

TEXT E

3
3

Source: https://hortongrangeacademy.co.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2020/03/Year-3-Week-2-Day-1.pdf
Refer to TEXT E:

4.1 Identify the correct part of speech of each of the following words by
choosing the correct answer from the answer bank.

conjunction finite verb infinitive

4.1.1 to get (l. 1) (1)

4.1.2 because (l. 2): (1)

4.1.3 told (l. 7) (1)

4.2.1 Change the following sentence from past tense to future tense.

It took a long time to get to Mariana’s house.

(1)

4.2.2 Change the following sentence from past tense to present tense.

Mom turned off the ignition. (1)

4.3 State whether the following underlined verb is finite or non-finite.

4.3.1 I was glad we were a little late. (1)

4.3.2 I told Mom not to come back for us until the party ended at 11:00. (1)

4.4 State whether the word underlined in the sentence below is a gerund
or adjective.

Reading The Diary of a Wimpy Kid as a class was a fun experience. (1)

4.5 Change the finite verb in the sentence below to a “strong” verb.

He looked at her from across the crowded room. (1)

4.6 Rewrite the following sentences, adding in the correct punctuation.

4.6.1 i went to the shops yesterday to buy my dad a Fathers Day

present but I didnt find anything he would like. (½ x 4 = 2)

4.6.2 ill probably ask my mom to buy him something. (½ x 2 = 1)

4.7 Rewrite the following sentence, circling the subject and underlining the
predicate.

4.7.1 The u/16 A girls’ hockey team won their match against Westering on
Saturday morning. (2)

4.7.2 The jewellery store was robbed yesterday at 12pm. (2)

4.8 Change the following sentence into direct speech:

Lathitha said that she would come visit on Friday. (½ x 4 = 2)

4.9 Change the following sentence into indirect speech:

Cole asked, “Can I go to the bathroom?” (½ x 4 = 2)

TOTAL QUESTION 4: 20

GRAND TOTAL: 70