5

Answer Key
Question Erroneous word Answer Type
Ty pe of error
1 this These Demonstrative
De
emo
mons nsttrativ
ns ivve Pr
Pron
Pronoun
onou
on
2 ate eaten Verb
Verb
Ve b Form
F rm
Fo
3 undermine undermined
dermin ned
ed Verb
Verb
Ve b Form
F rm
Fo m
4 the a Article
Arti
Articl
ce
5 great greater
g
gr rea
eate
te r C
Comparative
omp par
arativve
6 - - No Error
Erro
Er ror
ro
7 with to
to Preposition
Prep pos
osition
n
8 - - No Error
Erroor
9 however
ho owe
weve
ver because
becca
be ause e Conjunction
Co
onj
njun
jun
unct
ctio
ct on
10 judge
jju
udg
d e jjudged
ju
uddg
geed
d Tense
Ten
Te n se

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P1
 ANSWERS
BUKIT MERAH SECONDARY SCHOOL

MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2019

SECONDARY 4 EXPRESS/ 5 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1128/02

Paper 2 Comprehension 7 May 2019
1 ho
hour 50 minutes
Candidates answer in the Question Booklet.
Additional Materials: Insert

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS

S FIRST
FIRS
ST

Write your name, class s and register

reg
egister number
n m
nu mbbeerr in
in tth
he sp
the pa
acces provided
spaces prro
ovided on all the
he work
wor
orkk you ha
hand in.
pe
p en.
Write in dark blue or black pen.n.
staples
ess, paper
Do not use staples, pa
ape
per clips,
clip
ips,
ips glue,
glu
l e,
e ccorrection
orrre
or ect
ctio
ion fl luid
uiid o
u
fluid orr ccorrection
orre
or ect
c ion ta
ape
pe.
tape.

Answer alll qu
q uesstion
tio s.
questions.
Write yourr answers
ans
nsswe
n wersrs in
in th
tthe
he ssp
pacess provided
spaces pro
rovviid
de
ed in the Question
Que
uest
stio
st ion Booklet.
io Boo
con
nta
tain
ins th
The Insert contains he texts
the texts
te s for
for all
fo alll the
a th
he sections.
se
s ections
ns..
ns

The number off mar

arrk
a ks
markss is
is g
gi
iv
veen iin
given n bra
rack
racket
ckets
et
bracketss [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

Setter: Leow Ser Leng [Turn over

 2

Section A [5 marks]

Text 1

Refer to the webpage (Text 1) on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 1-4.

1 The webpage begins with the tagline ‘Where Business, Technology and Innovation Collide
in Singapore!’ What does ‘Collide’ suggest about the impact of the event on participants?

It suggests that it has a significant/ powerful/ strong impact on participants.

[1]

2 Refer to the section under ‘Networking’.

(i) How does the photograph support the information presented in this sect
section?

The photograph shows various participants s engaged

engage g d in
ge iin// en
e
engrossed
gros in
conversations. This supports the idea that participants
parttic
icip
ipan
ipants
an ts c can interact with/
an inter
connect with other like-minded people/
ople/ participants
partic
cip
pan
antsts during
duri ng tthe
ring
ri he event. [1]
e ev

(ii) Identify a phrase that encourages

ges the reader
re
ea
ad
derr to
to be
be involved
inv
nvol
olve
ved in n
networking.
etwo
et work
working.
rk

‘a breeze (to join)’ [1]

Accepted: ‘Experience
erience the
e power
po
ow
wer
er (of
(o
off a strong
sttrro
on
ng support
supporrt network!)’
n twork!
ne k!)’
k!)’
Not accepted:
pted: ‘the power
pow
ower
er (off a strong
strron
ong support
supp
pp
ppo
orrt
rt network!)’
network!)’
)’’

Who iss the

e target
tar
a get audience
a dien
au nce
c of this
iis
s webpage?
we
eb
bp
pa
age?
ge?
ge
3
Business
sineess
s owners/
ow
wn ner
ers/
s/ lleaders
eade
de
d
ders
errs
s who
who
ho are interested
intteres
eres
er este
t d in using technology to improve
their op
operations.[1]
peerrations.[1
[[1
1]

Accepted:
ed:
Employees
es of
of c
companies
o pa
om ani
nies
es who are interested in technology.
4
How does the webpage
webpag persuade its target audience to participate in the event?

Through the use of imperatives ‘seize this golden opportunity’, ‘Register

today’, ‘Click Here’ to prompt the reader to register for this event.
Through highlighting various mass media platforms that have featured/
promoted this event. [Any 1 for 1m]

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
 3

Section B [20 marks]

Text 2

Refer to Text 2 on page 3-4 of the Insert for Questions 5-15.

5 (i) Which word in Paragraph 1 suggests that the writer anticipated his trek to be an easy
one?

‘leisurely’ [1]

(ii) What does this word suggest about the writer’s assessment of the situation?

He underestimated the challenges involved. [1]

6 Paragraph 2 describes the challenges faced by the writer. Explain ow tthe

ain how language used
h la
he
in the paragraph emphasises how the writer found the experience o be
rience to be physically
physic
demanding. Support your answer with two details from the paragraph.
paragr
grap
gr aph
ap h.
‘gruelling path (was uphill)’ suggests/ shows/ indicates
indiica
cate
tes
tes thatt the
the path
path was an
extremely tiring and demanding one/ an
n arduous/ strenuous/
sttre
en
nu
uo
ouus/
s taxi
taxing/
xing
xi ng// on
ng one.

‘clamber all the way / crawl on

n all fours’
fours’ suggests/
fo sug
suggges
estts
s/ shows/
show
shows/ indicates
indi
indica
di cate
cates
te s that the writer
w
had to move in an awkward d and
d laborious
labo
la oriiou
o s way
wa
ay using
usin
ing bo
in b
both
oth ha
h
hands
n s an
nd and d llegs.
egs.

‘intense and energy

ergy sapp
sapping
pinng hohours’
ouurrs’’ suggests/shows/
su
sugg
ggees
sts/shows// indicates
indicate
in t s that
that it w
was an
extremely/ exceptionally/
ceptiona
nall
nally
y// extr
extraordinarily
t ra
tr ao
orrd
diin
nar
a il
ily exhausting
ex
e xha
hausti
ttiin
ng
g time

‘wearily
ly re
resting’
esttin
ng
g’’ sugg
suggest
gg
gges
est th
that
hat
a th
tthe
he wr
w
writer
itte
err w
wa
was
as ex
e
exhausted/
xhausted/
d/ dr
d/ d
drai
drained/
ra ned extremely tired/
fatigued.
atigued.
[Any
Anyy 2 fo
fforr 1m
1 each
each=2m]
ch=2
ch=2
= 2m
m]]

Not acce
accepted:
cept
ceptted
p d:
‘(was)) pa
parched
arrc
che
h d but o ou
out
ut of
of wa
w
water’
ate
ter’ suggests/
su
ugg
gges
ests
es ts
s/ sho
shows/ indicates that the writer was
dehydrated
ated
ed bu
ed butt h
ha
had
ad no ommo
more
ore water
wate
wa terr to drink (related to hot weather)
te
‘sweat was pouring
pour
po urin
ingg out
ou
out off me’
me (related
(re
(r elated to hot weather rather than the trek)
,‘(rougher wiwith)
ith
th) ev
e
everything
eryt
ytthi
hing
ng being jagged or piercing, shredding my arms and legs’
(dangerous s rather
rattherr than
than physically
p ysic
ph demanding)

7 ‘Soon, the sun was getting lower in the sky, making me ponder on my predicament.’ (line
14).

(i) Explain why the writer had to ponder on his predicament.

As it was getting dark, he had to consider safety issues carefully. [1]

(ii) What was his final decision?

To continue moving towards the beach [1]

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
[Turn over
 4

8 “ ‘Went down’ is just a euphemism though because, in reality, it plummeted.” (line 22).

How is the word ‘plummeted’ used effectively here?

It emphasises how suddenly/ quickly the sun set.

Not Accepted:
9 It emphasises how suddenly/ quickly the sky darkened
(‘plummeted’ is about the sun, not the sky)

What tone is the writer conveying in the last sentence of this paragraph?
10 Humorous / self-mocking/ self-deprecating/ He was making fun of himself. [1]

The writer says that he ‘attempted to be rational’ (line 30).

Which two of his actions show that he was not rational?

He darted around/ made blind plunges in random om directions/

direct
ctio
ct ions
ions// plunged
ns pl in random
directions (Any two, not more than two for 1m)
m)
11

In Paragraph 6, the writer describes

es taking
takiing a photograph
pho
oto
ogr aph of
grap of himself.
him
imsel
elf. Why
f Wh
f. his
hy do you think h
action was ‘unfathomable’ (line
e 33)?
)

He should be focusing
sing on g getting
e ting
et g hims
himself
ms
m sel
e f ou
out
ut of dangerr [1
[1]
1] inst
instead
sttead
ste d of trying
try
tr ying to see
yi
12 how he looked like wh
w
when
he
en
n frig
frightened
ght
hteenned
ed [[1
[1]
1]

The
e writer describes
de
escri
ribe
ribes the
be th
he night
nigh
night ass ‘the black
gh bllac
b ack sauna’
sa
aun
una’ (lines
(line
es 3
35-36).
5-3
36). W
What does this suggest
about
abou
ut the
th environment
th en
environm men
ent he
he was in?
in
n?

The expr
expression
p es
essi
sion
on captures
captu
capttures
s fully
full
fully how
how the narrator
ho na
arr
rrat
ator
o was experiencing total darkness
and feeling
eelin
ing
ing very hot
hot and
and sweaty
an swwea aty
t [1].
]
].
OR
The expression
resssi
sioon
n ca
c
captures
apt
ptur
ures fu
fully
ullly ho
how the night was totally dark and very hot [1].

13 (Both parts
s need
nee tto
eed present
o be present for 1m)

Explain why it was

as a bad decision for the writer to slide down the nearest slope.

The weight of his tent-filled backpack would push him downward too quickly.
He was not in control of his descent and thus put himself in greater danger.
He could not see what was ahead.
14 [Any one for 1m]

From Paragraph 7, identify four elements in nature that threatened the writer’s safety.

loose gravel and dirt

precipice/ slope ending abruptly/
30-metre cliff
angry sea
BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
 5

jagged rocks
[Any 2 for 1m/ pair. Total 2m]

15 The structure of the text reflects the writer’s experience at different stages of the trek.
Complete the flow chart by choosing one phrase to summarise the main experience at each
stage. There are some extra phrases in the box that you do not need to use.

Stages of the trek

visualising scenery considering options initial plans recognising peril

blind faith seeking guidance final plans

Flow Chart

Paragraph 1-2

(i) initial plans

ns

Paragraph
Paragrraph 3-- 4

((ii)
(i
iii)) co
considering
c on
ns
sid
ide
erriin
ng options
options
op

Paragraph
Pa
Parra
ag
grraph 5

((iii)
iiiii)
i reco
recognizing
cogn
cogniz
gniz
iz
izing p
peril

Paragraph 6-7

(iv) blind faith

[4]
[Turn over

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
 6

Section C [25 marks]

Text 3

Refer to Text 3 on pages 5-6 of the Insert for Questions 16-21.

16 Identify the characteristics of teak which lead to its ‘beauty’ (line 3) and ‘durability’ (line 4).

Description Characteristics

Beauty Grains and hue [1]

Durability Resistance to cracking, warping, rotting and corrosion

(when in contact with steel) [1]

[2]

17 With reference to Paragraph 1, what are current

nt problems fa
faced
ace
ced
d by the
e tteak
eakk industry?
ea in
ndu
d st Answer
in your own words.
The number of teak forests is decreasing
decreaea
e a g / The
easing he teak
The teak
eak fo
ea fforests
ore
rest
s s ar
are being
e be ing reduced in size
bein
in
[1].
Natural teak has more inferior
orr traits
o tra
raitts / characteristics
characte
ch terriistics / The
te e standard
sta
st anda
dard
rd of te
teak
eak p
produced
roduc is
now less superior [1].

18 The writer
wrriter ssays
a s th
ay hat
at ‘in ccaves
that aves in
av n West
W
We esstterrn IIn
Western ndi
dia,
a, e
a,
India, ven ob
even bje
ject
ctss made ffrom teak more than 2,000
ct
objects
earss ago
years ago have
haave been
beeen found
ffo
ou
un
nd intact’
intact
ct’
ct
t’ (lines
( ines
(liin
ness 16-17).
16-17)
17).
17

doe
es the
Why does the writer
writite
wr err include
incclu
lud
lude
de
e the
the
he above
ab
bo
ove example?
exa
xamp
xa
amp
mple
l ?
le

To convey
veyy his
his astonishment
hi astto
as
astoonniis
sh
hment that
tha
hatt teak objects can last so long./ To emphasise the
durability
y off teak.
teak
teak. [1]
[1]
[1

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
 7

19 Here is a part of a conversation between two students, Victor and Lily, who have read the
article

Plantation teak is However,

a definite plantation teak is
improvement from not a completely
clear cutting sustainable method
forests. of farming.

Victor Lily

(a) Give two pieces of evidence from Paragraph 4 to support Victor’s view.

The trees from which teak is obtained are exclusively planted for either
sively p
commercial or ecological purposes [1].

There are no non-teak waste trees to burn

n / remove
ve / clear
remov earr cut [1].
clea
cl ea [1

(b) With reference to Paragraph 4, how

ow would Lilyy explain
exp
xplain her
lain er position?
her possittio
on?

The plantations are monocultures

onocult ures / consist
llttur co
on stt of
nsiis only
of on
only one
ly one ttree
ree
re species
e sp
spe are
ecies and ar
planted and harvested
sted at
at the
he same
the me [1].
sam ] OR
]. O
Consequently,
ntly, they provide
pro
ovi de little
vide itttlle needed
lit ne
nee
eded animal habitat
ded ha
abi tat [1].
bita
ta

20 Explain
plain full
fully
ly h
how
ow te
teak p
planting
la
ant
ntin
ing
in
ng se
sserves
erves tthe
he llocal
he ocal
oc
ocal
al ccommunities
ommuniti
om ties
ties a
as
s ‘a sa
savings account’ (lines 45-
46).

The
e time
me uuntil
ntiill ttrees
nt rees
re s rreach
eachch
ch harvestable
har
arvve
estable dimensions
dim
imen
ensions is comparatively long / It can take
en
between
eenn 20
20 and d8 800 ye
years
ea arrs before
be
befo
ore
re a tree
e pl
plan
planted
ante
ant d to
today is harvested for wood [1].

This means
eanss tthat
haat th
the
he iin
income
nco
come e/m money
oney that
on tha can be earned from the teak planting can only
be reapedd in
n / iis
s sa
s
saved
aved until
unti
untill th
ti the futu
future / for future generations [1].

[Turn over

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
 8

21 Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the qualities and uses of teak.
Use only the information from Paragraphs 2 and 3
Teak is a valuable natural resource which
From the text Own words

1 has been used to outfit and adorn the has been used to furnish and decorate
residences of the wealthy and the houses of affluent/ rich and
powerful important people

2 strength and durability of teak wood is Famous/ recognised worldwide/

definitely world-renowned globally for its hardiness/ toughness/
sturdiness/ robustness and long-
lasting/ hard-wearing quality,
lity

3 abundance of natural oils and rubber Teak’s tight grain

n allows
ws itit to retain
allow r
locked right into the tight grain of the plenty of natural
atural oils an
a
and
nd ru
rubber
ubber even
wood to keep back water after being cut down
down and
and processed.
processe
4 and keep it from becoming
misshapened or breaking This enables
enabble
es it to
to kkeep
eep
p its
its sshape
hap
hape and
pe
5 retain these oils and its rubber even prevents
p
pr even
en
nts breakage
bre
reak
akag
agge
e
after being felled and processes
ses

6 greater naturally weather-resistant

weather
err-rre
e esi
sist
s an
antt natural
Itss naturall water-resistance
wateer-re
er-
er resisttan ce is
ance
properties thann just about
ut any otherr
abou
ou
o excellent/
ex cellent/ outstanding/
xce outsttan
a di iimpressive
d ng/ im
impr
mp es
essi
sive
sive
type of wood.
ood.

7 Itt has been

en used
bee u ed
us d to
to construct
consstr
co trucct ships
ssh
hiip
ps It h
It has
as been
as bee
e n utilised
utilissed in
i ship construction.
many
for ma
m centuries
any cen
enturies
entu e
tu

8 dried
d
dr ed to
rie o a properperr moisture
prope
pe mo
m oistu
tu re llevel
ure evvel
e e -- Additionally,
Addi
Ad d ti
di o ally it can become waterproof
tion
around
ar ound 10
rou 10 percent
pe
percen nt of
of its
ts original
its oriigi
gina
n l after
fter drying
af dr to an appropriate/ suitable
content
cont nt --- the oils
ntten o ls
oi saand
nd rubber
nd ru
ubbber moisture level
m
weatherproof
eathe
he
herrp
pro ooff tthe
he
hew wood.
ood.

9 The oils a
also protect
lso prot
ls ectt the
otec
ot ec th wood
wo from The oils also protect it from dry rot,
dry rot

10 more the oils and rubber and fungus and parasite attacks .
-Furthermore,
protect the heart of the wood from
invaders like fungi and parasites.

Teak is a valuable natural resource which has been used to furnish and decorate the
houses of affluent and important people. Famous globally for its sturdiness and long-lasting
quality, teak’s tight grain allows it to retain plenty of natural oils and rubber even after being
cut down and processed. This enables it to keep its shape and prevents breakage. Its
natural water resistance is outstanding. It has been utilised in ship construction. Additionally,
it can become waterproof after drying to an appropriate moisture level. The oils also protect
it from dry rot, and fungus and parasite attacks. [89 words for 10 points]

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
Text 1 Questions/ Marks

Question Type 9

Effect of specific feature of the text

Use of picture/ graphic to communicate/ reinforce idea 3(i) [1]
Global Under-standing of the text 1 [1]
Literal - understanding of details in the text
Inferential - understanding of details not directly given/ 2 [1]
identify sentence 3(ii) [1]

Text 2 Questions/ Marks

Question Type

Literal 6i[1]

1]
7 ii [1]

10[1]

14
4 [2]
[2]
[2

Vocab (Quote) 5i
5 [1]
[1]
1

Vocab (explain meaning of word/ ph

p
phrase)
rase) 11
11 [2[

Paraphrasing

Language
ge Impact
Imppac
a t (h
(how
how
ow lang isis u
used
s d to
se o createe specific
spec
sp ecific
ifiicc
if 8 [1]
eferen
ence to
en
impact/reference to st
sstyle
y e and
yl d to
ttone)
one)
[1
1]
9 [1]

Language Impact
act (u
(usee in unusua
unusual
uaal w
wa
way/
ay/
ay/
y/ eeffect
ffe
ff
fect o
off use
use)
e)

Inferential (include
e vocab
voc
occaab
b and
and justification
jus
usttiification
n using
usi
s ngg evidence)
eviden 5ii [1]

6 [3]

7(i) [1]

12 [1]

13 [1]

Evaluative (structure of text) 15 [4]

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2
Text 3 Questions/ Marks

Question Type 10

Literal (Direct) 16 [2]

Literal (Talking Heads) 19 [3]

Vocab (Quote)

Vocab (Explain meaning of word/phrase) 20 [2]

Paraphrasing 17 [2]

Language Impact (style/tone) 18 [1]

Inferential

Evaluative (selection of ideas)

BMSS/2019/4E5N/MYE/1128/P2