No.

5/1

 
 
Student Personal
  Marker Code Identification Number
  (SPIN)
               
 
 

Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate

 
ENGLISH
 

2010
QUESTION and ANSWER BOOKLET
Time Allowed: 3 Hours
 

 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. Answer ALL sections.
  Suggested Time
SECTION I READING COMPREHENSION 40 marks 60 mins
SECTION II FORMAL WRITING  20 marks 40 mins
SECTION III RESPONSE TO TEXTS 40 marks 80 mins
 
Total 100 marks 180 mins
  2. Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.

  3. Write your Student Personal Identification Number (SPIN) on this page and on the
FOLD-OUT FLAP at the back.
 
4. If you use extra sheets of paper be sure to show clearly the question being answered.
Write your SPIN on the top right-hand corner of each sheet, and tie it securely at the
appropriate place in this booklet.

5. Check that this booklet has pages 2-18 in the correct order and that none of these
pages is blank.

YOU MUST HAND THIS BOOKLET TO THE SUPERVISOR AT THE END OF

THE EXAMINATION.

TOTAL MARKS 100

 2 
 
SECTION I: READING COMPREHENSION (40 marks)

Read ALL FIVE passages and answer ALL the questions that follow each passage. You
should spend about 60 minutes on this section.

PASSAGE 1 (16 marks)

Things To Come

1 Most people have some fascination with the future, and almost everyone would
like to know what the future will be like; their own futures as well as the general
future of the world. What changes are there in store for those who will be alive a
hundred years from now? Will education be made unnecessary because we will
be able to call up whatever information we want from a computer? Will we still
be dependent upon communication systems like the post office, or will all
communication be handled by telephone or satellite? What will have become of
the automobile? It is impossible to know the answers to all these questions. The
only thing we can be sure of is that things will be different in a hundred years.
10 When we consider the changes that have been made in the past century, and when
we realize the speed with which changes occur these days, we have to
acknowledge that radical change seems inevitable within the next century.

The greatest changes may well occur in areas like transportation, communication,
domestic labor-saving devices, and education. Study might be undertaken at
home, if it is undertaken at all. The noted futurologist, Alvin Toffler, has
prophesied that much future office work will be carried out in the home where
people will have computer terminals that are connected with central terminals in
the city. Business and educational institutions as we now know them may cease
to exist. The home will become the center, and people will be able to complete
20 their share of office tasks at home while yet being part of the office team.

The prospect of not having to fight rush hour traffic, to put on an office suit, or
have to brown bag it every day has certain attractions, but there are other things to
be considered as well. Perhaps the most important is the isolation that could
result from the breakdown of institutions. We are accustomed to working,
studying, playing, and moving about in groups, so the sudden withdrawal to the
relative loneliness of the home might pose difficulties. There will be no one to
have lunch with or no one with whom to share the latest gossip. For many
employees, one of the bonuses of a job is being with other people. Alvin Toffler
suggests that when people work at home, they can form their own lunch gossip
30 groups in their communities. And what’s more, because people will no longer
have to travel to get to the job, they will have even more time for socializing and
doing things they like to do.

(Source: Things to Come by Esta de Fossard)

 3 
 
MULTIPLE CHOICE (6 marks)

Write the letter of your choice in the box on the right of each question.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. describe the changes that have happened in the world.
B. discuss possible changes that are likely to happen in the future.
C. promote future changes.
D. encourage us to predict what will happen in the future.

2. Given the changes that we have seen and the speed with which they have happened,
the passage claims that changes
A. will definitely happen and cannot be stopped.
B. in the future will not be drastic.
C. will bring disaster to the world.
D. are possible and can be avoided.

3. The word ‘it’ in bold in paragraph 2 (line 3) refers to

A. study.
B. Education.
C. change.
D. Transportation.

4. The prophesy referred to in paragraph 2 suggests that

A. study will be very difficult.
B. life at home will be interesting.
C. office work can be done from home.
D. business will not be lucrative.

5. The word futurologist in bold in paragraph 2 (line 3) means that Alvin Toffler was
an expert in
A. studying modern changes.
B. explaining past and future events.
C. researching changes in the past.
D. forecasting changes in the future.

6. In the last paragraph, Alvin Toffler suggests advantages for people when they no
longer need to go to work. How many advantages does he refer to?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five

1-6 6
 4 
 
B. SHORT ANSWERS (10 marks)

Answer the following questions using information from Passage 1.

7. Comment on the author’s attitude towards change as given in the first paragraph and
quote a phrase from paragraph 1 to support your answer.

Comment:

Quote:

(2 marks)

8. Explain what the author means by ‘isolation’ in the sentence Perhaps the most
important is the isolation that could result… breakdown of institutions. (lines 23
and 24)

(2 marks)

9. (a) Give a word from paragraph 1 which means the same as certain or assured,
and explain the meaning of the sentence in which the word is used.

Word:

Meaning:
(2 marks)

(b) List TWO specific changes referred to in paragraph 2 that are likely to occur in
the next 100 years.

(i) _______________________________________________________________

(ii) _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

10. With reference to the last paragraph, explain in your own words why you would/
would not agree with the author.

(2 marks)

7 - 10 10
 5 
 
PASSAGE 2 (6 marks)

Professionalism

1 A successful doctor is scheduled to operate on a patient at 8 a.m, but it has rained

during the night and the driving is difficult. Do you think the doctor will stay home
in bed? Not if he or she is professional. This attitude of professionalism is the key to
being a successful college student, too. And it is within your reach, no matter how
5 well or how poorly you have done in school up until now. You cannot undo the past,
but you can adopt an attitude of professionalism from now on. All you have to do is
intend to take school seriously, and the rest will follow. By attending classes, turning
in assignments on time, and coming prepared for tests, you will gradually build your
skills.

Source: Ten Steps to Improving Reading Skills by John Langan

11. The primary purpose of this passage is to

A. present facts on student behaviour.
B. persuade students to be responsible.
C. describe the virtues of professionalism.
D. classify students in school. (1 mark)

12. In general, the tone of this paragraph can be described as

A. critical.
B. pessimistic.
C. encouraging.
D. praising. (1 mark)

13. The passage infers that the doctor has a professional attitude. Write a complete
sentence to explain what this means.

(2 marks)

14. Give TWO ways the author says that students can gradually build their skills.

(i)

(ii)
(2 marks)

11 - 14 6
 6 
 
PASSAGE 3 (6 marks)

Domestic Quarrel

1 The walls of the house are paper thin.

Lying awake in the pit of the night
he hears his parents arguing,
and lights a candle stealthily.
5 The world’s two halves are closing in
a sounding shell; the voices flicker,
knives that violate the night.
He lies imprisoned inside a whale,
his blind eyes trace its arching ribs.

10 The dark beats down.

Somewhere, offstage, ripples of distant thunder.
The window frames momentary bleached photographs,
cold as a moon landscape.
He blows the candle out and waits
15 for sleep or the consummation of rain
on the tin roof, the tides of drowning sound.
By S. McInerney

15. Explain in your own words what the poem is about and give a quote from the poem
to support your answer.

Explanation:

Quote:

(2 marks)
16. Identify a metaphor in stanza 1 of the poem. Write down the whole metaphor and
explain what it means.

Metaphor:
Meaning:

(2 marks)
17. Explain why the boy waits for the rain, the tides of drowning sound at the end of
the poem.

(2 marks)

15 - 17 6
 7 
 
PASSAGE FOUR (6 marks)

Adjusting to life in a new country

1 Life in another country can sometimes be frustrating because of differences in
language, food, climate, pace of life and social customs. When you travel to your
study country, it may take you time to adjust to the lifestyle and culture. What
you considered normal in your own home country might be looked at differently
5 in your study country. Their social customs, etiquette or mannerisms might not
be what you consider appropriate or normal. These differences and variations can
all have an effect on you and may affect your academic progress and general
wellbeing.
Culture shock affects people in different ways. For example, you may become
10 bored or homesick, be indifferent to the local food, or you may find that you are
unable or reluctant to mix with other people. You may suffer physical side effects
such as stomach pain, headache or insomnia. There is no instant cure for culture
shock. Usually, with time, it will go away as you begin to feel more comfortable
in your new environment. It helps to talk to others, especially with other students
15 or people from your own country. They might be feeling the same as you and
talking about it may help you both. Try to get out and about, and generally try to
stay busy. Health and counseling services are also available.

18. Where is this passage most likely taken from? Quote a line from the first paragraph
to support your answer.

Source:

Quote:

(2 marks)

19. Give TWO reasons why living in another country can be frustrating.

(i)

(ii)
(2 marks)

20. Identify TWO effects of culture shock (paragraph 2).

(i)

(ii)
(2 marks)

18 - 20 6
 8 
 
PASSAGE FIVE (6 marks)

1 Keeping up with the news is an important part of good citizenship. First of all, it
is only by watching the policies of our elected officials that we can make
judgements about their performance. If we are not satisfied, we can then write
letters to try to influence them. We can also use what we learn about their
5 performance to determine how we vote in the coming elections. Knowing about
current events can also make us more interesting conversationalists. Finally, we
can occasionally learn from the news about how we can be useful to society.
Perhaps we can serve a family in need of help by sending a few dollars or offer to
volunteer at a shelter for the homeless that we learn is opening nearby.
Source: Anonymous

21. There are three examples provided to support the main idea in this passage. Name the
first TWO examples given.

Example 1.

Example 2.

(2 marks)
22. Explain what the author means by saying that we can occasionally learn from the
news about how we can be useful to society. (lines 6 and 7). State TWO examples
from the passage.

(2 marks)
23. (a) What is the writer’s view towards keeping up with the news?
(b) Explain in a complete sentence what your view is in reference to the writer’s
view.

Writer’s view

Your view _________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

21 - 23 6
 9 
 
SECTION II: FORMAL WRITING (20 marks)
(Spend about 40 minutes on this section.)
QUESTION 24
Write an essay of about 200-300 words on ONE of the following topics.
Present your ideas in a clear, well developed and convincing manner.
You should allow time for planning, drafting and editing.
The blank page is for your planning and will not be assessed.

Topics:
1. Disaster preparedness must be a priority for everyone.

2. The school curriculum should also include …

3. Freedom of religion should be encouraged.

4. “Ladies and gentlemen, our country needs/does not need a new government for the
following reasons.”

5. “Ladies and gentlemen, my speech today will be on what I think are the causes and
effects of health issues in our society today.”

6. Being a school prefect is a golden opportunity.

 10 
 
USE THIS PAGE FOR PLANNING AND DRAFTING OF YOUR ESSAY.
(Work on this page will not be assessed.)
 11 
 
Q.24 TOPIC:

Write your chosen topic in the box.

 12 
 
 13 
 
SECTION III: RESPONSE TO TEXTS (40 marks)
This section contains SIX questions, each of which offers two options. Answer TWO
questions from this section.

For each question you choose:

• Answer either A or B.
• Write an essay of about 200-300 words.
• State the titles and writers of the works you have chosen to answer the questions.
• Use examples from your chosen works in your answers.

Do NOT use the same text OR the same writer in your two answers.

Spend about 40 minutes on each question.

QUESTION 25: NOVEL (20 marks)

EITHER
A. Choose TWO of the following then discuss how each contributed to enhancing
your enjoyment and understanding of the novel.

(i) The setting of the novel.

(ii) The actions and development of a major character.
(iii) The climax of the novel.
OR
B. “The novelist is concerned with presenting a segment of human experience,
which inevitably shows his attitude towards human values.”

Discuss how the novel you studied does this.

QUESTION 26: SHORT STORIES (20 marks)

EITHER
A. Discuss how writers of TWO short stories you studied are successful in
portraying important issues that you are concerned about.
OR
B. Discuss with reference to TWO short stories you have studied how the authors’
characterisation contributed to your understanding of the short stories.
 14 
 
QUESTION 27: DRAMA (20 marks)
EITHER
A. Drama relies on constructed speech for its existence.
Discuss how the playwright is successful in constructing language that genuinely
reflects what she or he is trying to get across to the audience through what the
characters say in a play you have studied.
OR
B. Discuss TWO major themes presented in a drama you have studied and explain
why they are important to you.

QUESTION 28: POETRY (20 marks)

EITHER
A. The effect of a good image is to help you to visualize and feel what the poet is
experiencing.
Discuss the use of images in TWO poems you have studied and demonstrate how
they are successful in portraying what the poets are concerned about.
OR
B. Discuss what you have gained from TWO different poems (written by two
different poets) you have studied.

QUESTION 29: NON-FICTION (20 marks)

EITHER
A. With reference to a work of non-fiction you have studied, discuss TWO key
concerns presented by the author and describe how they are relevant to today’s
society.
OR
B. Discuss the development of a major character in a work of non-fiction you have
studied and explain how this contributed to your understanding of the story.

QUESTION 30: FILM (20 marks)

EITHER
A. Discuss how a film you have studied is successful in the achievement of ONE of
the following as its purpose.
(i) Entertainment
(ii) Documentary
(iii) Educational
OR
B. Discuss TWO themes that are portrayed in a film you have studied and comment
on the extent to which these themes are relevant today.
 15 
 
SECTION III: First Answer Question: 25 26 27 28 29 30 Option A B
Circle the QUESTION Circle the OPTION
 16 
 

First Question Answered

  20
 17 
 
SECTION III: Second Answer Question: 25 26 27 28 29 30 Option A B
Circle the QUESTION Circle the OPTION
 18 
 

Second Question Answered

  20
 19  Student Personal
  Identification Number
(SPIN)

ENGLISH

2010
(For Markers only)

Section Check
Marker Marker
(Question)

I (1 - 6)
6

I (7 - 10)
10

I (11 - 14)
6

I (15 - 17)
6

I (18 - 20)
6

I (21 - 23)
6

II
20
Write the NUMBER and LETTER of the Literature
questions you answered in the circles below.

III
20

III
20

TOTAL
100