CENTRE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF STANDARDS IN EXAMINATION

COMMON EXAMINATION: FEBRUARY 2014

GEMS ASIAN SCHOOLS
ENGLISH- PART 1-READING
GRADE: 4
TIME: 1 HOUR: 10 Min Reading: 50 Min Writing
No. of Pages: 7

MAX MARKS: 24
DATE: 18 / 2 /2014

NAME: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SEC: ------------GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Read the paper carefully for the first 10 minutes. Do not write during this time.
2. You are allowed 50 minutes to write the answers.
3. For each question there are four options-Only ONE option should be CIRCLED.
4. Choose the option which you think BEST answers the question.
5. Do your work neatly, overwriting should be avoided.
6. All the answers must be written in the space provided in the question paper.
7. This question paper contains 7 pages including the cover page.
SIGNATURE OF THE INVIGILATOR: ----------------------------------------------SECTION A
Signature of the
TOTAL
( 24)
Evaluator:
READING A (24 Marks)

Corrective measures suggested by the evaluator:

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Page 1 of 7

SECTION A : READING
Read and answer the following questions:
COMPREHENSION:
Long ago, the Earth was covered in darkness. None of the
creatures living there knew what daylight looked like.
One day, all of the animals of the forest gathered together in a clearing.
They wondered if it would be better to remain in darkness, or if it would be
better to also have light. Deer, Chipmunk, Raccoon, Wolf, Bear, and many
other creatures climbed to the top of the highest mountain. The mountain
stood so tall that there were no trees on its top, and it was covered only
with rocks. Millions of stars blinked in the dark sky overhead. The biggest
and most powerful animal in the forest was the bear, and he was the first
to reach the mountaintop. Bear stood on the highest peak, looked out over
the forest below, and argued for remaining in darkness. He said that the
creatures of the forest would be able to sleep better in darkness because
there would be no light to keep them awake. Most of the other animals
were afraid, and they agreed with Bear. Raccoon said that he did not mind
the darkness because he was so smart that he could find plenty of food,
even in the dark. Wolf was easy to please, too. She didn't mind the
darkness because she could howl in darkness or in light.
But one animal did stand up to the Bear. Chipmunk, the smallest of the
animals, argued that it would be better to have both light and dark.
Chipmunk was very clever. As Bear continued to argue for darkness, she
made many good arguments for light.
Slowly, the night passed. Bear grew tired of talking, but Chipmunk
chattered on and on, as if she had all of the energy in the world. As the
other animals dropped off to sleep, one by one, Chipmunk kept arguing.
Finally, the first sunrise ever seen by the animals appeared over the top of
the mountain. They woke up and were amazed by what they saw.

Page 2 of 7

Chipmunk began to dance from rock to rock. Bear became angry because
he didn't get his way. He roared loudly and ran after Chipmunk. He chased
Chipmunk all the way down the mountain. Bear was fast, and he reached
out his giant paw to grab Chipmunk. Chipmunk got away, but not before
Bear managed to scratch her back with his long claws. And that is why, to
this day, you can see stripes on Chipmunk's back.

Q.
No
1.

2.

3.

Question - Answers
What is the theme of this story?
a. stand up for what you believe in
b. It is always better to go along with the crowd.
c. There is only one right way to do things.
d. Making decisions is easy.
What is the bear like?
a. He is a good listener.
b. He is used to getting his way.
c. He is unsure about what he wants.
d. He is well liked by the other animals.
What does the word chattered mean?
b. laughed
a. moved slowly
c. spoke quickly

4.

Where does the story take place?

a. in a barn
c. near a lake

5.

d. argued
b. on an island

d. on a mountain top

What is the antonym for the word argued?

a. whispered
b. agreed
c. jumped

Mark

d. yelled

What happened after Chipmunks argument with Bear?

a. The animals saw their first sunrise ever.
b. Bear was happy that he got his way.
c. The animals continued to live in darkness.
d. Chipmunk fell asleep.
Page 3 of 7

Q.
No
7

Question - Answers

Mark

According to the story, why do Chipmunks have stripes on their backs?

2

TOTAL : KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING

8

What do you think was the problem faced by the creatures long ago?
b. shortage of water
a. shortage of food
c. lack of shelter

10

K/U

8
1

d. absence of daylight

What steps you will follow in solving a problem?

a. Find the solution, identify the problem, suggest a solution.
b. Identify the problem, find one or more solutions, suggest the best.
c. Suggest the best solution, identify the problem, find the solution.
d. None of the above

Why do you think some animals did not come forward to solve the
problem?

11

If you happen to be in that area what problem would you have faced as a
human being?
2

Page 4 of 7

Q.
No

Question - Answers

TOTAL : PROBLEM SOLVING

12

What pet would you choose to buy and why?

a. A chipmunk: Dhs 150/
150/b. A puppy: Dhs 155/c. A kitten: Dhs 55/
55/-

13

Mark

PS

6
1

d. none

Read the two advertisements carefully and decide which pet would you
like to buy and why? Write your answer on the lines given below.

Page 5 of 7

Q.
No

14

15

Question - Answers

Mark

The days you will choose for buying your pet. (Read Q13 & answer this)
a. Sunday and Monday
b. Tuesday and Wednesday
c. Friday and Saturday
d. Thursday and Friday
Why do you choose these specific days for buying your pet?

TOTAL : DECISION MAKING DM

16

The lesson that we learn from the Chipmunk :

a. We should fight and argue.
b. We should stand for our words.
c. We should submit to the bully.

4
1

d. We should be clever.

17
Ground squirrel

Chipmunk

1. The ground squirrel has 1. They have stripes on the

body stripes like chipmunks
head, back and tail
2. But no head stripes
2. They all have short fur and
3. Ground squirrel range from
small rounded ears
8 to 12 inches (20 - 30 cm) 3. Chipmunks range from 6 to
in length has short fur and
12 inches (16 - 30 cm) in
length
small rounded ear.

a
.

c
.

b
.
Page 6 of 7

Q.
No

Question - Answers

Mark

Based on the details given above identify chipmunk from the threepictures
given

18

a. Picture a b. Picture b c. Picture c d. None of the above

In what ways are Chipmunks different from the other animals?

19

How does a Chipmunks character help it to win the argument with Bear?

TOTAL : CRITICAL THINKING

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Page 7 of 7

CRITH