PEACEHILLS COLLEGE

THIRD TERM PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION

SUBJECT ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ESSAY

The topic of an essay competition organised by the Young Writers Club for final year students is: Our traditional
marriage system is more suitable for the present generation of Nigerians than the English system. Write your entry for
or against the topic:

You were one of those arrested by the police at the scene of a crime. Write a letter to the Commissioner of Police
giving details of the crime, pleading your innocence and requesting to be released.

You witnessed the campaigns that preceded a local government election in your area in which the favourite candidate
was defeated. Give a vivid account of the events before, during and after the election to your friends, explaining why
you think the candidate lost.

You have changed school and after a few months, you discover that your present school is not as good as the former.
Write a letter to a friend of yours in your former school giving at least three areas in which the new school does not
measure up to the old one.

Write an article for publication in the science magazine on the topic: Science and Technology in National
Development.

Write a story in which you were personally involved, ending with, ‘If I knew he was kind of person. I wouldn’t have
gone out with him.’

COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

Malnutrition has been described as a tragedy of great magnitude. WHO declares that it is an accomplice in at least half
of the 10.4 million child deaths each year. Malnutrition covers a wide range of illnesses from undernourishment due to a
lack of one or more nutrients such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies to obesity and other diet related chronic
diseases.

However, Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is by far the most lethal form of malnutrition. Malnutrition is not restricted
to children. It cast long shadows in the developing world according to WHO. Industrialized countries are not free from
the scourge of malnutrition as about 11 million people suffer from it. Malnutrition is caused by a deficiency in the intake
of nutrients by the cells of the body and it is usually triggered by a combination of factors ,an insufficient intake of
proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals and frequent infections Illnesses such as diarrhoea, measles, malaria and
respiratory diseases tax the body heavily and cause loss of nutrients. They reduce appetite and food intake thus
contributing to malnutrition.
Children are at a greater risk of suffering malnutrition. This is because they are in a period of rapid growth that increases
the demand for calories and protein. For similar reasons pregnant and nursing women are easily prone to malnutrition.

Frequently, the baby’s problem begins even before birth. If a mother is undernourished or malnourished before and
during pregnancy, the baby will have a low weight. Then early weaning, poor feeding habits and lack of hygiene can
bring on malnutrition. Malnutrition wreaks havoc on the body particularly that of a child and various studies have shown
that poor growth in a child is associated with impaired mental development and poor scholastic and intellectual
performance. A report from United Nations calls these effects the most serious long-term results of malnutrition. For
children who survive malnutrition, the aftermath can linger on into adulthood.

QUESTIONS

A. Why is malnutrition described as a tragedy of great magnitude?

B. What, according to the passage, are the immediate causes of malnutrition?

C. Why are pregnant women and nursing women easily vulnerable to malnutrition?

D. How can a child’s problem begin before birth?

E. What according to the passage are the long-term results of malnutrition?

F. ‘…the scourge of malnutrition’ What figure of speech is this?

G. ‘…who survive malnutrition’ (i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression? (ii) What is its function?

H. For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and can replace it as used in the
passage

Magnitude (ii) lethal (iii) restricted (iv) industrialised (v) risk (vi) havoc

Summary

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

Apart from bringing forth children, a mother has also to cater for their emotional welfare. She plays a vital role in
helping a child learn about love and affection-lessons that may be just as important as the satisfaction of his physical
needs. In order to develop into a well-balanced adult, a child needs a warm, secure environment while growing up. Here
again, a mother’s role is crucial. So, whatever else a woman might do, this is her primary function in society. Besides
looking after her children, the mother is often their principal teacher. It is mainly the mother or grandmother who
patiently teaches the child to speak, to walk, and to do household chores and countless other things. Little wonder then
that one’s language the world over is referred to as one’s ‘mother tongue’ rather than ‘father tongue.’

Today more women than ever have to work outside the home to help support their families. Millions of women work
on the land, or care for livestock. This labour, usually underpaid or unpaid, feeds half the world. In Africa, 70 per cent of
the food is grown by women, in Asia the figure is 50-60 per cent and in Latin America 30 per cent.

In the Western world, most women leave home daily to work in offices, schools and factories. Many of them are indeed
getting into top positions, although they are still outnumbered by men at this level. Although, they generally earn less
than men, simply because they are women, they nonetheless provide very essential services that keep many factories
and institutions running. Indeed, in many countries of the world, most nurses, midwives, doctors and teachers are
women. One of the greatest gift that women can give their families is compassion. When a family member falls sick, the
mother takes on the role of a nurse, while still shouldering all her other responsibilities. A woman’s compassion may
even motivate her to eat less than herself so that her children do not go without food. Researchers have found that
some women consider their food intake as sufficient even though they are malnourished. They are so accustomed to
giving the larger share to their husbands and children that as long as they can still work, they consider themselves
adequately fed.

Sometimes, a woman’s compassion is expressed in her concern for the local environment. That environment
matters to her, since she also suffers when drought, desertification, and deforestation impoverish the land. In one town
in India, women were outraged when they learnt that a lumber company was going to cut down about 2,500 trees in a
nearby forest. When the loggers arrived, the women were already in place, hands joined, protectively encircling the
trees. ‘You will have to cut us down as well if you want to cut down the trees, ‘they told the loggers. The forest was
saved.

Perhaps because of her biological role as provider of succor and compassion, a woman is hardly ever a soldier.
However, if need be, she can take arms to save her children and her community. And when a woman does that, oh, she
can be terrible! The Dahomey warriors who tormented the ancient Egba for ages were women in arms. However, it is
perhaps best to save women the abominable role of killers and reserve them for what they are best at: bringing forth
and bringing up the young ones.

QUESTIONS:

In six sentences, one for each, state the functions of women is stated in paragraph one, two important functions are
identifiable in paragraph two, one function is stated in paragraph three, one function is stated in paragraph four and one
is expressed in paragraph five.
SUBJECT ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASS: S. S. S TWO DURATION:1HR 30MINS

OBJECTIVE PAPER 2

SECTION 1

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D,
choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly
fill the gap in the sentences.

1. Micheal is stingy but his brother is ….. A. generous B. kind C. humane D. hospitable.

2. Success is the reward of ….. not indolence A. prudence B. attentiveness C. diligence D. sharpness.

3. I don’t know how Yusuf became so proud; his parents have always been …. A. gentle B. noble C. humble D.
simple.

4. The once unknown musician became ….. in a very short time. A. popular B. accepted C. respected D.
admirable.

5. Issa is very much interested in education while his sister is ….. A. dull B. indifferent C. uncertain D. serious.

6. The comment I made at the conference was general; being… would have hurt some people. A. ordinary B.
specific C. tactful D. candid.

7. Buba was purposeful in his search for a job but Bala was rather … about his A. ordinary B. specific C. tactful
D. candid.

8. In recent tournaments I have seen amateurs play better than so-called…. A. experts B. veterans C. specialists
D. professionals.

9. The student appeared…. But we were all confident in his ability. A. afraid B. nervous C. unconvinced D.
ignorant.

10. Giraffes are attractive animals but snakes are…. A. repulsive B. ugly C. poisonous D. offensive.

SECTION 2

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.

11. Mr Uche was trying to…. a list of debtors A. compare B. compose C. compound D. compile.

12. He tried to…..the housemistress by entering the hostel through the back door. A. reject B. repel C. evade D.
deflect.

13. He gives the…. That he is wealthy but he really isn’t A. impression B. opinion C. attribute D. indication.
14. Frank was….in the riot because his books were found at the scene. A. blamed B. caught C. implicated D.
grafted.

15. The insurance company….my uncle for the loss of his car. A. redeemed B. relieved C. compensated D. paid.

16. Before giving his speech, the chairman….copies of it to the members of the council A. duplicated B. spread C.
circulated D printed

17. We wished to win the tournament but we knew our ………. Were slim. A. skills B. opportunities C. odds
D. chances.

18. When all the members started arguing, the chairman called the meeting to ……… A. silence B. order C.
audience D. attention

19. The felling of trees contributes to environmental………..A. pollution B. damage C. .Degration D.

destruction.

20. I had to put up my house as ………..for the bank loan. A. pledge B. agreement.
C. collateral D.surety.

SECTION 3

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretation is given. Choose the interpretation that is most
appropriate for each sentences.

21. Our mother always warn us against washing our dirty linen in public. This is means that She warn us A.Not to
discuss private matters public B. to fetch enough water washing. C. Not to soil our clothes D. To keep our mouths
shut.

22. Let us draw a veil over this matter. This means that we should a) Avoid discussing the matter b) To take the
matter to court c) Cover our heads with a veil d) Get the elders to resolve the matter

23. Children think their parents are behind the times. This means that their parents are a) Always late for work b) Not
worried about new things c) Old fashioned d) Not duty conscious

24. Ever since that issue came up. I have been sitting on the fence This means that I have been a)Countinously in
trouble b)Sitting alone in the house c)Walking around to find a job d) Avoiding stating my opinion

25. You must spare up to your problems. This means that to have to a)Deal with your problem effectively b)Consider
your problem from all angles c) Forget your problems d) Arrange your problem

26. Many of us escaped with the skin of our teeth during the crisis. This means that we a) Lost some of our teeth b)
Narrowly escaped c) Quickly escaped d) Had marks on our skin

27. Peter and paul get along like a house on fire. This means that they a)Have a very good relationship b)Are not an
speaking terms c)Avoid each other always d) Pretend to like each other.

28. Where Victor’s father gave him a new car, he was lost for words. This means that it is A.did not like the car B.
forget to show his gratitude C. was overwhelmed D. was not grateful
29. This film is a cut above the others. This means that it is

30. a) Cut to like the others b)Much better than the others c)Different from the others d)Inferior to the others

31. We knew our father was talking tongue-in-cheek when he spoke of a vacation abroad.This means that our father
was. A. Sincere B. courageous C. joking D. reasonable

SECTION 4

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or groups of words that is
nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.

The accused was asked to retract his statement. A.Recall B. withdraw C. make D. rewrite

32. On the death of her father, friends went to express their condolences A. sympathy B. pity C. concerns D.
worries.

33. The Chume’s house caught fire because their little girl had turned on the gas inadvertently. A. automatically B.
hurriedly C. carelessly D. unintentionally.

34. A magnificent structure was erected close to our house A. real B. splendid C. colourful D. fine.

35. Mediocrity in politics should not be tolerated A. promoted B. encouraged C. approved D. helped.

36. A group of experts was brought in to verify the authenticity of the evidence A. support B. improve C. correct D.
ascertain..

37. Due to the pressure of work, the old man had no alternative but to relinquish his post A. give out B. give in C.
give up D. give away.

38. The obstinate boy soon met his Waterloo when the war broke out A. Proud B. stubborn C. careless D. rude.

39. The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops A. highlighted B. right C. actual D.
recommended.

40. Our stationery supplies are exhausted A. completed B. finished C. consumed D. destroyed.

SECTION 5

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the
following sentences.

41. My sympathies are……..the victims of the flood A. on B. to C. with D. about.

42. Your application for employment……at this very moment A. was being considered B. is considered C. is being
considered D. was considered.

43. ……..the court orders, he went ahead to build on that land. A. In spite of B. besides C. But for D. although.

44. He almost got ………With the crime A. up. B. off C. Over D. away.
45. …….an accident, the police should be informed immediately. A. in the event of B. in view of C. in view to D. in
place of.

46. If you don’t get off my property, I’ll set the dog….you A. off B. on C. unto D. into.

47. The task…..to them was very difficult A. giving B. given C. give D. gave.

48. Two boys in the art class were doing self-portraits by looking at…….in the mirror. A. oneself B. each other C.
one another D. themselves.

49. Hardly a day passes by…….his thinking of her. A. that B. without C. While D. when.

50. Each time he opens his mouth, he…….something foolish A. says B. said C. saying D. say

51. ……I would love to be at your party, I really can’t A. in as much as B. as much as C. much as D. as much.

52. The spectators had to endure the heat……… A. as they could B. as best as they could C. as best they could D.
as they could best.

53. The sick man was……emaciated that I could hardly recognized him. A. too B. very C. quite D. so.

54. One of the muggers wo snatched the handbag…..been arrested by the police A. have B. was C. is D. has.

55. She is not the right candidate for the job…….. ? A. is she B. is it C. was she D. isn’t it.

56. She……to excuse herself ten minutes ago. A. has had B. had C. have had D. has.

57. Many a man….., to endure hardship in life. A. have had B. are C. were D. has had.

58. She……….as a very intelligent person A. comes in B. comes about C. comes up D. comes across.

59. You have to be in school early……….. ? A. shouldn’t you B. shall you C. haven’t you D. aren’t you.

60. Either he or you……to clean up the mess right now A. has B. was C. have D. were.

61. He would rather resign………part in such a dishonest deal. A. Instead of taking B. than talking C. than takes D.
than take

62. The farmer, with his sons …millet A. grows B. grow C. were growing D. have been growing.

63. The teachers wants……………. A. modern, attractive, well-equipped schools. B. attractive, well-equipped, schools
modern C. well-equipped, attractive, modern schools D.schools, well-equipped, attractive, modern

64. She suddenly came…..a lot of money A. into B. up C. over D. through.

65. My mother……to my leaving the dishes unwashed last night A. did not take kind B. does not take kind C. did
not take kindly D. does not take kindly.

66. The place was quite neat except for….. on the floor A. dirty B. a dirt C. dirtiness D. some dirt.

67. He dabbles………politics from time to time A. in B. about C. through D. into

68. The shot hit………you want me to. A. neither I nor he B. neither me or he C. either I nor him D. neither me nor
him.

69. I will do for you……..you want me to A. whenever B. whichever C. whatever D. However.

70. The students’ week was rounded……. with a dance A. off B. up C. out D. down.

SECTION 6

In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage,
four options are given in columns lettered A to D. Choose the word that is the most suitable to fill the numbered gaps in
the passage.

The farmer -71- the nation and can be said to be the most important professional. But low many people would make
farming their first choice of professional. But low many people would make farming their choice of professional? The
arduous task of turning a virgin rain forest into a farmland, of battling the land until -72- are carved out and crops are -
73-, of fighting off the weeds and -74- the tender crops from pest, and of preparing the harvested crops in -75- for long
months, could scare off the lily livered. Family is really not for the faint hearted who are easily defeated by the -76- of
the weather and the uncertainties of the soil.

But the fruits of farming are sweet. Farmers are assured of the -77- yields of their farms. A farmer worth his salt can
never go hungry, never mind that the dishes may not be -78- in a palatial mansion. Besides, the physical rigour
demanded of him ensure that he is constantly kept -79-, that his muscles are forever well shaped. The clean air
surrounding him ensures that his eyes remain sharp, that his breath is pure, and that his immunity level is always high.
Finally good and -80- harvest, especially in these days of mechanize farming, do ensure that a good farmer is immune to
poverty.

A B C D

71. feeds tends nourishes develops

72. hedges crests ridges folds

73. deposited planted lodged buried

74. defending screening covering shielding

75. barns huts pits shelter

76. ways fancies adjustments vagaries

77. newest freshest brightest latest

78. provided supplied taken served

79. healthy huge alert stout

80. overflowing generous bountiful great

THIRD TERM TERM EXAMINATION
Subject: ORAL ENGLISH Class: SS 2 DURATION ; 50Mins

PAPER 3

Section A

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letters(s)
underlined.

Now, answer the questions that follow:

1. Burn (a) barn (b) owl (c) girl (d) cousin.

2. Crew (a) tool (b) tour (c) throw (d) throve.

3. Reed (a) spice (b) irk (c) chief (d) eye.

4. Fill (a) hit (b) ice (c) piece (d) file.

5. Let (a) tried (b) trade (c) throw (d) thread.

6. Cup (a) curt (b) coach (c) tough (d) cot.

7. Hot (a) sport (b) most (c) host (d) rock.

8. Corn (a) cock (b) form (c) lust (d) fun.

9. Sat (a) mane (b) man (c) main (d) mart.

10. Last (a) pat (b) late (c) painter (d) pass.

11. Buy (a) ice (b) ease (c) obey (d) buoy.

12. Oath (a) ooze (b) oar (c) hold (d) urban.

13. Stay (a) height (b) rake (c) rise (d) rose.

14. How (a) about (b) agree (c) ago (d) argue.

15. Air (a) here (b) hear (c) ear (d) hare.

Section B

From the words Ato D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letters(s)
underlined.
16. Kin (a) knife (b) queen (c) scene (d) know.

17. Parent (a) pious (b) pneumonia (c) corps (d) psychology.

18. Tax (a) thump (b) irrigation (c) asked (d) fetch.

19. Bar (a) comb (b) plumber (c) stab (d) lamb.

20. Same (a) isle (b) dies (c) daze (d) dice.

21. Axe (a) sinks (b) ask (c) exact (d) lack.

22. Jury (a) gang (b) gnat (c) image (d) anger.

23. How (a) path (b) photo (c) hour (d) half.

24. Lamb (a) half (b) glare (c) slab (d) calm.

25. Shine (a) measure (b) massive (c) census (d) mission.

26. Zip (a) lose (b) loss (c) lost (d) loose.

27. Street (a) lustre (b) style (c) strength (d) austere.

28. Flame (a) phlegm (b) play (c) alpha (d) apply.

29. Voice (a) yellow (b) win (c) sure (d) save.

30. Erect (a) elect (b) connect (c) correct (d) collect.

Section C

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word.

31. Handsome A. Some B. Dancing C. Hasten D. Ransom.

32. Cheer A. Charm B. Chair C. Air D. Hear.

33. Flour A. Floor B. Flier C. Flower D. Louvre.

34. Loins A. Loans B. Corns C. Lions D. Coins.

35. Keys A. Kiss B. Quays C. Ease D. King.

Section D

In each of the following questions the main/primary stress is indicated by writing

the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters.

36. Dedication (a) de-di-CA-tion (b) DE-di-ca-tion (c) de-DI-ca-tion.

37. Resuscitate (a) re-sus-ci-TATE (b) re-sus-CI-tate (c) re-SUS-ci-tate (d) RE-sus-ci-tate.

38. Certificate (a) cer-TI-fi-cate (b) CER-ti-fi-cate (c) cer-ti-FI-cate (d) cer-ti-fi-CATE.

39. Introduction (a) IN-tro-duc-tion (b) in-tro-DUC-tion (c) in-tro-duc-TION (d) in-TRO-duc-tion.

40. Questionable (a) quest-TION-a-ble (b) ques-tion-A-ble (c) ques-tion-a-BLE (d) QUEST-tion-a-ble.

Section E

In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern. Identify the one with
different stress pattern and shade your answer in the usual way.

41. A people B. Unused C. Sportsman D. Lorry.

42. A trader B. pupil C. prefer D. perfect

43. A reprimanded B. pupil C. prefer D. mosquito.

44. A appear B. enough C. detain D. modest

45. A principal B. civilian C. tomorrow D. sensation

SECTION 6

In each of the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters. From the
questions lettered A to D, choose the one to which the given sentences is the appropriate answer.

Example: My mother’s FRIEND hates pets

A Does your mother’s boss hate pets?

B Does your mother’s friend love pets?

C Does your mother’s friend hate toys?

D Does your father’s friend hate pets?

The correct answer is A. because “My

mother’s FRIEND hates pets” answers the

46. Nigeria hosted the 1995 African Youth FOOTBALL competition.

A. Did Qatar host the 1995 African Youth Boxing competition?

B. Did Nigeria host the 1995 Africa Youth Boxing competition?

C. Did Nigeria host the 1973 Africa Youth Football competition?

D. Did Nigeria lose the 1995 Africa Youth Football competition?

47. GHANA is the largest producer of Cocoa

A. Is Brazil the largest producer of Cocoa?

B. Is Ghana the smallest producer of Cocoa?

C. Is Ghana the largest exporter of Cocoa?

D. Is Ghana the largest producer of groundnut?

48. Our school is the BEST in the village.

A. Is our school the best in the country?

B. Is their school the best in the village?

C. Is our club the best in the village?

D. Is our school the worst in the village?

49. The JUNE presidential election result was annulled.

A. Was the june councillorship election annulled?

B. Was the july presidential election released?

C. Was the July presidential election annulled?

D. Was the june presidential debate annulled?

50. The bus driver was polite to the POLICEMAN.

A. Was the bus driver rude to thepoliceman?

B. Was the tax driver polite to the policeman?

C. Was the bus driver polite to the judge?

D. Was the bus conductor polite to the policeman?

SECTION 7

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetics symbol.

An example is given below:

Example: /ↄ:/

A. yell B. holy C. boy D. idiot.

The answer is C because only ‘boy’ contains the sound represented by the given symbol.
Now, answer the questions that follows:

51. /ɔ/ A. pot B. pat C. port D. park

52. /a:/ A. firm B. fine C. farm D. fun

53. /ↄ:/ A. work B. wink C. wine D. jaw.

54 /ei/ A. live B. play C. act D. try

55 /ₔʋ/ A. knew B. no C. who D. how

56 /ð/ A. hose B. those C. dose D. truth.

57 / / A. answer B. augur C. nicer D. anger.

58 /j/ A. you B. joy C. wonder D. under.

59 /t/ A. watch B. motion C. ten D. lotion.

60 /tʃ/ A.. child B. cash C. marsh D. machine.