Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

BBA (Hons) Degree

Final Examination
Year 1, Semester 1 (2023)
Model Paper
BM1016 – English Language Skills 1
Duration: 2 hours

Instructions to Candidates:
1. This paper contains FIVE questions and 6 pages including the cover page.
2. It is compulsory to answer ALL the questions.
3. The entire exam is worth 100 marks which contribute to 60% to the final grade.
4. Marks for each question are given.
5. Write all the answers in the Answer Booklet according to the instructions given for
each question.
6. Electronic devices capable of storing and retrieving text, including mobile phones are
not allowed.

Student Registration Number: ……………………....

Name (as in SLIIT ID): ……………………………

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Question 01 (25 marks)
The Risks of Cigarette Smoke
Discovered in the early 1800s and named nicotianine, the oily essence now called nicotine is
the main active ingredient of tobacco. Nicotine, however, is only a small component of
cigarette smoke, which contains more than 4,700 chemical compounds, including 43 cancer
causing substances. In recent times, scientific research has been providing evidence that, years of
cigarette smoking vastly increases the risk of developing fatal medical conditions.
In addition to being responsible for more than 85 per cent of lung cancers, smoking is
associated with cancers of, amongst others, the mouth, stomach and kidneys, and is thought to
cause about 14 per cent of leukemia and cervical cancers. In 1990, smoking caused more than
84,000 deaths, mainly resulting from such problems as pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza.
Smoking, it is believed, is responsible for 30 per cent of all deaths from cancer and clearly
represents the most important preventable cause of cancer in countries like the United States
today.
Passive smoking, the breathing in of the side-stream smoke from the burning of tobacco
between puffs or of the smoke exhaled by a smoker, also causes a serious health risk. A report
published in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasized the health
dangers, especially from side-stream smoke. This type of smoke contains more, smaller
particles and is therefore more likely to be deposited deep in the lungs. On the basis of this
report, the EPA has classified environmental tobacco smoke in the highest risk category for
causing cancer.
As an illustration of the health risks, in the case of a married couple where one partner is a
smoker and one a non-smoker, the latter is believed to have a 30 per cent higher risk of death
from heart disease because of passive smoking. The risk of lung cancer also increases over the
years of exposure and the figure jumps to 80 per cent if the spouse has been smoking four packs
a day for 20 years. It has been calculated that 17 per cent of cases of lung cancer can be
attributed to high levels of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke during childhood and
adolescence.
A more recent study by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF)
has shown that second-hand cigarette smoke does more harm to non-smokers than to smokers.
Leaving aside the philosophical question of whether anyone should have to breathe someone
else’s cigarette smoke, the report suggests that the smoke experienced by many people in their
daily lives is enough to produce substantial adverse effects on a person’s heart and lungs.
The report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), was based
on the researchers’ own earlier research but also includes a review of studies over the past few
years. The American Medical Association represents about half of all US doctors and is a strong
opponent of smoking. The study suggests that people who smoke cigarettes are continually
damaging their cardiovascular system, which adapts in order to compensate for the effects of
smoking. It further states that people who do not smoke do not have the benefit of their system
adapting to the smoke inhalation. Consequently, the effects of passive smoking are far greater
on non-smokers than on smokers.
This report emphasizes that cancer is not caused by a single element in cigarette smoke;
harmful effects to health are caused by many components. Carbon monoxide, for example,
competes with oxygen in red blood cells and interferes with the blood’s ability to deliver
life giving oxygen to the heart. Nicotine and other toxins in cigarette smoke activate small blood

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cells called platelets, which increases the likelihood of blood clots, thereby affecting blood
circulation throughout the body.
The researchers criticize the practice of some scientific consultants who work with the tobacco
industry for assuming that cigarette smoke has the same impact on smokers as it does on
non smokers. They argue that those scientists are underestimating the damage done by passive
smoking and, in support of their recent findings, cite some previous research which points to
passive smoking as the cause for between 30,000 and 60,000 deaths from heart attacks each
year in the United States. This means that passive smoking is the third most preventable cause
of death after active smoking and alcohol-related diseases.

The study argues that the type of action needed against passive smoking should be similar to
that being taken against illegal drugs and AIDS (SIDA). The UCSF researchers maintain that
the simplest and most cost-effective action is to establish smoke-free work places, schools and
public places.
References: The Risks of Cigarette Smoke - IELTS Practice Online Band 9. [Online]. Available
at: https://ieltspracticeonline.com/the-risks-of-cigarette-smoke/ [Accessed 23 Apr. 2019].

a) Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. (01x05 Marks)

i. Smoking is the major cause of lung cancers. (.T...)

ii. Thirty per cent of deaths in the United States are caused by smoking-related diseases.
(. F. .)
iii. Side-stream smoke contains more particles which can damage lungs. (.T...)
iv. Second-hand tobacco smoke during childhood and adolescence is the main cause for
lung cancers. (F )
v. 50% of the doctors in the American Medical Association thoroughly opposes
smoking. (T )

b) According to information in the text, leukemia and pneumonia,

i. are responsible for 84,000 deaths each year.
ii. are strongly linked to cigarette smoking.
iii. are strongly linked to lung cancer.
iv. result in 30 per cent of deaths per year. (02 Marks)
c) According to information in the text, intake of carbon monoxide,
i. inhibits the flow of oxygen to the heart.
ii. increases absorption of other smoke particles.
iii. inhibits red blood cell formation.
iv. promotes nicotine absorption. (02 Marks)
d) According to information in the text, intake of nicotine
encourages, 4
i. blood circulation through the body.
ii. activity of other toxins in the blood.
iii. formation of blood clots.
iv. an increase of platelets in the blood. (02 Marks)

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e) Choose ONE phrase from the list of phrases A-D below to complete each of the following
Sentences.
Choose the appropriate phrase from those given below and write the corresponding letter.

in the space provided below. (02x03 Marks)

i. Passive smoking ………D……….

ii. Compared with a non-smoker, a smoker ……F…....…….
iii. The American Medical Association …...…G……….

A. is more harmful to non-smokers than to smokers.

B. is less likely to be at risk of contracting lung cancer.
C. is more likely to be at risk of contracting various cancers.
D. opposes smoking and publishes research on the subject.

f) Match the following statements describing the finding with their sources A-D in the
spaces provided. You may use any letter more than once. (04 Marks)

i. Smokers’ cardiovascular systems adapt to the effects of smoking. (.A......)

ii. The philosophical question whether people should inhale others’ smoke. (.B......)
iii. Smoke-free public places offer the best solution. (.B......)
iv. Side-stream smoke is more harmful than the smoke exhaled by a smoker. (C)
A. a finding of the UCSF study
B. an opinion of the UCSF study
C. a finding of the EPA report
D. an assumption of consultants to the tobacco industry

g) Look for the answers in the text and write them on the lines provided.
i. Non-smoking partners/spouses can be exposed to some health hazards. Name two of them?
............................................Heart disease, Lung cancer..................................................(02 Marks)
ii. What are the first and second preventable causes of death respectively?
..........................Active smoking and alcohol related diseases....................................... (02 Marks)

Question 02 (20 Marks)

Order the following jumbled business email by numbering the components from 2.1 to
2.10. Write the correct number in the answer booklet (2.1 1 etc.). (02x10 = 20 Marks)
 Randhula.g@sliit.lk 2.1 ( …1…. )

 Subject: Explanation for the Absence in the Mid Semester Examination 2.2 (2)

 Perera C.M
BM22506254
1st year/1st Semester Student
Feb 2023 Batch 2.3 (11)

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  Yours sincerely 2.4 (10)

 Dear Ms. Randhula 2.5 ( ……3… )

 Therefore, I would be grateful if you could consider my request and give me an

opportunity to re-sit the examination on a day decided by the module coordinator.2.6
(…8..)

 Further, the donation visit lasted until the noon followed by an educational seminar for
Grade 5 students which culminated at 4.PM in the evening. 2.7 (7)

 I am regretfully informing you that I was unable to participate in the Mid Semester
Examination held on the 31st of March 2023. 2.8 (…4........)

 SLTTT Badminton club together with the Buddhist Association of SLIIT organized a
book donation visit to a rural school in Monaragala, Girimuduna Primary School on the
same day of the examination. 2.9 (6 )

 I have attached herewith a letter of thanks given to us by the Principal of the school
as evidence. 2.10 (9)

 In fact, this absence was due to a commitment that I had as the captain of the
SLIIT Badminton club. 2.11 (5)

Question 03 (15 Marks)

Rewrite the following sentences by using non – sexist or gender-neutral words /expressions.
Use the answer Booklet.Rewrite the sentences to make them nonsexist or gender neutral. (2*5=10
marks)
1. The average student is worried about his grade.
The average student is worried about the grade.
The average student is worried about one’s grade.
The average students are worried about grades.
2. An e-mail writer should use language with caution when he writes emails.
An e-mail writer should use language with caution when writing emails.
An e-mail writer should use language with caution when that e-mail writer writes/sends emails.
An e-mail writer should use language with caution when that one writes emails.
3. A lecturer should not be biased about his students.
A lecturer should not be biased about students.
A lecturer should not be biased about one’s students.

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4. A busy executive should scan his emails by reading the subject lines first.
A busy executive should scan the emails by reading the subject lines first.
A busy executive should scan one’s emails by reading the subject lines first.

5. All men are expected to sin during their existence.

Every human is expected to sin during existence.
Humans are expected to sin during their existence.
Question 04 (20 Marks)

The graph below gives information about the changes that took place in three different areas of
crime in New Port City. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features,
and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150-160 words in the answer booklet.
Introduction-simple present
Overview-past simple/present perfect
Conclusion-generally in past simple and present perfect when summarizing points about the graph
but the prediction about the future should be in future form (will/it is predicted that etc)
Introduction
(02Marks) -Overview
(02 marks)
Identification of main trends (05
Marks) Use of suitable vocabulary (04
Marks) Conclusion (02 Marks)
Grammar (05 Marks)
Highlighted parts coincide with the marking rubrics. Pls check

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The line graph illustrates the variation of three types of crimes in Newport city centre over
a 10-year period from 2003 to2012.The given lines represent burglaries, robberies (theft
from person) and car theft. In general, almost every crime rate fluctuated over the given
period of time except burglary which showed an overall downward trend.

Initially, in 2003, there were more cases of burglary (approximately 3400) than car theft
(roughly 2800) and robbery (just above 500). Over the time frame, there were always more
incidents of car theft than robbery whereas the number of incidents of burglary was higher
than that of car theft from 2003 to 2006 and there was equal in the number of cases of
burglary and car theft in the middle of the year 2006. From 2007 onwards, there were more
cases of car theft than burglary, which is followed by robbery. There was a sharp dip in the
number of incidents of car theft in 2006 (around 2100) before it continued to rise until the
year of 2012. The number of occurrence of burglary and robbery reached their lowest
points in 2008, with figures just above 1000 and 500 respectively.

In conclusion, car thefts have continued to rise overtime above burglaries and thefts from
persons. This could be due to the rising value of cars and the ability to dissemble and sell
for higher prices without being convicted. It is also noteworthy that robberies (theft from
person) remained comparatively lower below 1000 incidents overtime due to the elevated
risk factor. It could be predicted that robberies from persons will continue to remain low in
comparison to car thefts which have the potential to rise even in the future.

Question 05 .. (20 Marks)

You are an advertising manager of a clothing factory. Write a letter to ready-made clothing store
introducing your branded T-shirt exclusively for men. Be sure to give important details and its
special features in comparison to competitive brands

Use open punctuation when writing the letter.

A formal letter should be written including all the requirements in the question
• Correct letter format - 05
• The use of open punctuation - 03
• Content (information suitable to the given scenario) – 07
• Grammar and Language – 05

Pls refer to the letter in open punctuation

1st para-purpose
2nd para- details about the purpose
3rd para- Conclusion/call to action/what does the receiver need to do about Etc.
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-Use polite language (please if you could/could you please/would you mind v+ing)

-Do not use –contracted forms (can’t. won’t, Don’t), Use the full form Cannot/would not/do not

-If you know the name of the person that you are writing to , use ‘Yours sincerely’ AT THE
CLOSING OF THE LETTER
If you do not know name of the person (The Manager,followed by Dear sir/Madam, then use ‘Yours
faithfully’AT THE CLOSING OF THE LETTER

Shenal Kurukulasooriya
The Advertising Manager
La Fashionista Garments
No 57
Kandy Road
Dalugama

27th of Oct 2023

Anil Perera
The Purchasing Manager
Super Fashion (Pvt) LTD
No 257
Galle road
Panadura

Dear Mr Perera
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Introducing La Fashionista’s Exclusive T-shirt for Men – “Gamboge”

As a long time business partner of Fashionista , it is my pleasure and privilege to introduce Super
Fashion Sores to “Gamboge”, an exclusive T-shirt specially designed by a French designer for the
Sri Lankan Market.

Gamboge is manufactured to suit the tropical Sri Lanka climate with 65% Cotton and35 % polyester
combination which makes the t-shirt fabric soft, comfortable, and biodegradable. Moreover,
‘Gambaoge’ is initially launched in 14 different colours to suit the fashion choice of wide-array of
customers at an affordable cost. The product will be available for island-wide delivery after the
mega launching ceremony on 14th of November 2023.

In conclusion, we would be grateful if your organization could offer us an opportunity to brief you
about our new product on a convenient date at your head Office as we expect to select and launch
the product in selected outlets at a discounted rate. Some samples of the fabric and the handout on
the design are attached to this letter.

Awaiting a favorable reply.

Yours Sincerely
……………….
The Advertising Manager
Shenal Kurukulasooriya
La Fashionista Garments
011235687/0776884321
E-mail: shenalfashinista@gmail.com

End of the Examination Paper