TEST CODE 01218010

SPEC 2017/01218010
C AR I B B E AN E X AM I N AT I O N S COUNCIL

CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

EXAMINATION

ENGLISH A

SPECIMEN PAPER

Paper 01 – General Proficiency

1 hour 30 minutes

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

This Specimen Paper consists of 60 items. You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer them.

In addition to this test booklet, you should have an answer sheet.

Each item in this test has four suggested answers lettered (A), (B), (C), (D). Read each item you are
about to answer and decide which choice is best.
On your answer sheet, find the number which corresponds to your item and shade the space having the
same letter as the answer you have chosen. Look at the sample item below.
Sample Item

Choose the word that BEST completes each sentence.

Someone who is suffering from influenza needs to be isolated as the disease is _____________.

(A) lasting Sample Answer

serious
(C) destructive A B C D
contagious

The best answer to this item is “contagious,” so (D) has been shaded.
If you want to change your answer, erase it completely before you fill in your new choice.
When you are told to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and as carefully as you can. If you cannot
answer an item, go on to the next one. You may return to that item later.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

Copyright © 2017 Caribbean Examinations Council

All rights reserved.

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Items 1–5

Instructions: Each sentence in this section has ONE underlined word. Choose from the four
options, the word which is closest to OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word.

1. The guest speaker’s words reinforced the view that capital punishment can influence the rate of
crime in a country.

(A) destroyed
(B) damaged
(C) demolished
(D) dispelled

2. The barren land was a result of agricultural practices that have been passed down from generation
to generation.

(A) stony
(B) fertile
(C) infertile
(D) unproductive

3. The affluence displayed in the beach-side communities indicated the significant difference in
economic status from dwellers in the city.

(A) misery
(B) wealth
(C) poverty
(D) richness

4. John’s parents acknowledged that his recent behaviour was contemptible and therefore deserved
the outcome.

(A) correct
(B) regretful
(C) trustworthy
(D) commendable

5. He was always adept at evading questions at interviews, and that skill was often needed to reduce
conflict.

(A) polite
(B) careless
(C) unskilled
(D) convincing

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Items 6–10

Instructions: Each sentence in this section is followed by four sentences, A, B, C and D. Choose
the one nearest in meaning to the original sentence. Be sure to read all four options before you
select your answer.
9. An interest in their nation's development
6. When Mr Peets was transferred on
plans should be displayed by its young
promotion from South Point to Maraval
people.
Mrs Adams succeeded him.
(A) Young people should take an
(A) Mrs Adams worked at Maraval after
interest in plans for national
Mr Peets left on promotion.
development.
(B) Mr Peets was succeeded by Mrs Adams
(B) National development is dependent
when he was promoted to a post at
upon the youth.
Maraval.
(C) Young people ought to be aware of
(C) Both Mr Peets and Mrs Adams were
plans for the purpose of national
transferred on promotion: Mr Peets to
development.
Maraval and Mrs Adams to South
(D) The nation will advance through
Point.
plans proposed by its young
(D) In order to be promoted, Mr Peets had
to be transferred to Maraval to allow people.
Mrs Adams to work at South Point.
10. In spite of their size, whales are no longer
7. Recent floods have made the route an even match for man.
impassable.
(A) Whales are no longer even a match for
man.
(A) People are unable to travel because of the
(B) Men are no longer a match for whales in
floods.
spite of their size.
(B) The road cannot be used as a result of the
(C) Because of their size whales should be
floods.
better able to hold their own against man.
(C) Travelling has been brought to a standstill
(D) Although they are large, whales can no
because of floods.
(D) Because of heavy showers, commuters were longer adequately defend themselves
against man.
forced to detour.

8. The competitors in the long jump event

were daunted by the performance of
Kevin Jones.

(A) Kevin Jones was the best participant

in the long jump event.
(B) No one expected to do better than
Kevin Jones in the long jump.
(C) The long jump event daunted all the
competitors except Kevin Jones.
(D) Since Kevin Jones jumped so well
the other competitors in the event
were discouraged.

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Items 11–15

Instructions: Revise each of the following sentences according to the directions that follow it.
You may delete or include words but do not change the meaning of the original sentence. Look
at the options A, B, C, D for the word or phrase that must be included in your revised sentence
and mark the corresponding space on your answer sheet.

11. The masqueraders who were jumping to

the rhythm of the steel band music became
very exhausted after a while and had to go
home early.

Substitute so for very

(A) and consequently they

(B) and they
(C) for they
(D) that they

12. She told her parents a lie in order to escape

punishment.

Substitute in order that for in order to

(A) she might escape

(B) she escaped
(C) she escape
(D) she will escape

13. The Australian cricketers fought valiantly

against the West Indies team, but all their
efforts were in vain.

Begin the sentence with:

Despite their valiant efforts

(A) would defeat

(B) were defeated
(C) defeated
(D) would be defeated
 14. She found, even after she had made several
attempts to regulate the sprinkler, that the
water was still reaching the furniture on the
verandah.

Begin the sentence with:

Having made

(A) she found that

(B) she had found that
(C) she was finding that
(D) and finding that

15. Intending to declare the innings closed, the

captain told his bowlers to conserve their
energy.

Begin the sentence with:

“I intend to declare the innings closed,”
the captain said

(A) “so conserve your energy”

(B) “and their energy should be
conserved
(C) “because they should conserve their
energy”
(D) “if your energy should be
conserved”

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Items 16–20

Instructions: Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because of inappropriate

grammar, idiom or vocabulary. Some sentences are acceptable as they stand. No sentence contains
more than one inappropriate element.

Select the ONE underlined part that you feel is inappropriate and choose the appropriate letter A,
B, C. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D.

16. While driving through the fields on a conducted tour the farmers were appal to see several diseased
A B C
cattle. No error
D

17. The soundness of the proposal introduced by the opposition members was quite evident, though the
A B
presentation was both criticised by the President and the Secretary of State. No error
C D

18. We always feel good whenever our cricketers play well enough to win a series of matches
A B C

convincingly. No error
D

19. The two robbers, not knowing the value of the loot, were unable to agree on how to divide it among
A B C
themselves. No error
D

20. One must be aware of threats to your health if happy living is one’s goal. No error
A B C D