KINGFISHER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Senior High School

2ND QUARTERLY EXAMINATION

Reading and Writing Skills
(100 Points)

I. Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS: Read the following selections and answer the questions that follow. If the
answer is not in the given options, write E. Then, write the correct answer. (20 points)

Passage No. 1
The Present is a Blessing
(By: Prado)

One of the man’s weaknesses according to T. Wolfe is that he talks of the future and
he wastes it as it comes. It is useless to for man to live in the past. Everything that transpired,
whether they were beautiful or not may now bring the excitement – the nostalgia of
reminiscing sweet memories, yet, the past is over. It is dead. Trying to revive or relive the past
regardless of the feelings it may bring to man is useless. It can be considered as an
unproductive self-punishment. The past must be left behind, outlived and outgrown.

It is equally illogical to be glued thinking and worrying about the future. There is no
point thinking much about what to come like thinking about how to survive in the future or how
does it feel to be in heaven. Thinking about the future brings so much anxiety to people. It
makes a man think endlessly about disasters and sad fate. He ponders and worries about the
future even including his death in which he has little or no control at all. Thinking of these
actually may bring destruction to his life. Future disasters may be avoided but he must live in
the present as well.

The events of the present day exist which gives more meaning to man’s everyday life.
They come in synchronization with time and man’s continuous struggle for survival. They are
around to tell man that he actually is facing not any other time frame and time table but the
sweet reality of the present.

The color of man’s life creates in himself a phase of history. However, he has to leave
that phase of life and face the present and consider the preceding scenes as part of his
successful sojourn here on earth. What is important then? It is living on a daily basis,
cherishing ups and downs of the past and looking forward to the future with so much joy and
excitement.

1. Which of the following best states the main idea of the article?
A. Past memories should be kept forever and cherished in one’s mind.
B. The different events in one’s life can be treasured without any fear.
C. Everyday must be lived fully while valuing the past and hoping for the future.
D. It is always best to relive the memories of the past and prepare for the future.
E. None of the above

2. According to the article, the habit of thinking about the past:

A. Makes a person stronger in facing challenges
B. Destroys one’s perspective about the present
C. Inflicts self-punishment to a person
D. Adds color to a person’s life
E. None of the above

3. Which of the following is NOT true as expressed in the paragraph?

A. The events in one’s life happen for a reason.
B. A person should balance his/her perspective in life.
C. Thinking so much about the future can cause anxiety.

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 D. A person must continue moving forward in his/her life.
E. None of the above

4. Which of the following, if true, would best substantiate the claims of the author?
A. Successful people have learned to move on from the past.
B. The key to true happiness is embracing the ups and downs in one’s life.
C. Freedom from anxieties and depression can be achieved when one learns to
accept his/her failures.
D. The present is well used when a person plans ahead while reliving the past.
E. None of the above

5. The author used the phrase “synchronization with time” (3rd paragraph) to illustrate:
A. How time and events are related
B. How each memory can affect one’s mindset
C. The difference of past, present and future
D. The possibility of déjà vu
E. None of the above

Passage No. 2

Desiderata
(found in Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore, USA, 1962)

Go placidly amid noise and the haste

and remember what peace there may be on silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others – even the dull
and ignorant; they, too, have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexation to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always, there will be greater and lesser persons that yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue is; many persons strive for high ideals; and
everywhere, life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;

for in fact of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength to shield you in sudden misfortune.
Do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less that the trees and the stars;
you have right to be there. And whether or not, it is clear to you, no doubt,
the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you perceive Him to be;

and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy,
confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all it shams and drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
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 Strive to be happy.

6. The author’s main objective in this poem is to

A. Visualize the sufferings on mankind
B. Advise the younger generation to love their lives
C. Depict the beauty of living despite the sufferings
D. Promote equality and fairness among all men
E. None of the above

7. The term “aridity” in the fourth stanza means:

A. Abundance
B. Interesting
C. Controversy
D. Dryness
E. None of the above

8. Which of the following, if true, is NOT expressly stated in the passage?

A. A person must avoid people who talk so much and do less.
B. Life, however hard it may seem, should be enjoyed by everyone.
C. Fatigue and loneliness cause fear in a person’s mind.
D. People should focus on their career in order to gain fortune.
E. None of the above

9. The author used the phrase “perennial as the grass” to illustrate that:
A. Everybody wishes for a magical event in his/her life
B. True self can never be hidden
C. A person’s emotions can be compared to nature
D. Love continues to exist despite all the negative emotions we feel
E. None of the above

10. Through this passage, we can conclude that Desiderata means:

A. A wise advice
B. Something that is desired
C. An unexpected phenomenon
D. Hidden emotion
E. None of the above

II. Essay
DIRECTIONS: In a two-paragraph essay, express your thoughts about the following topics.
Write a title for your essay and make sure the paragraphs include the properties of a well-
written text (unity, coherence and cohesion). (20 points)

STRAND TOPICS

ABM Unethical Practices in Business

Filipinos’ Global Competitiveness in

STEM
Technology

HUMSS Chronic Poverty in the Philippines

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III. Patterns of Development
DIRECTIONS: Choose two (2) patterns of paragraph development. Then, write one
paragraph (5-7 sentences only) for each type of pattern. Use the respective topics provided
and include appropriate signal words. (20 points)

Patterns of Development Topics

Definition “Success”
Exemplification “Benefits of Internet”
Description “True Friends”
Chronology “Obtaining High Grades”
Comparison-Contrast “Different Social Classes (Rich and Poor)”
Classification “Earthquakes”
Cause and Effect “Advancement in Technology and Economy”
Problem-Solution “Limited Sources of Energy”
Persuasion “Education System in the Philippines”

IV. APPLICATION LETTER

DIRECTIONS: Construct as application letter. Follow the guidelines below. (20 points)

1. You are going to write an application letter to Mr. Dashielle Hood, President of Morgan
Corporation, with business address at 3 rd Floor, Strata Building, Ortigas, Pasig City, Metro
Manila. Assume that you are already a Senior High School graduate. Based on your strand,
you will apply for an entry level position: ABM-Accounting Clerk; STEM- Researcher;
HUMSS-Writer
2. Your letter should include these elements: greetings, a brief self-introduction, endorsement
of resume and other files, and desire for an interview.
3. Your letter must be informative (giving details about yourself) as well as persuasive.
4. Follow the full block style. You must include all the basic parts of a business letter.

Rubrics for Essays

(30%) Grammar -Word selection
6 points ► No grammatical error
and use, subject-verb
5 points ► Two (2) – Four (4) grammatical errors
agreement, proper use of tense,
4 points ► Five (5) – Seven (7) grammatical errors
spelling, punctuation and
3 points ► Eight (8) – Ten (10) grammatical errors
capitalization
0 point ► More than 10 grammatical errors/ No answer

4 points ► The main thought of the essay is clearly supported by succeeding

sentences with proper transitions.
(20%) Structure - Unity,
2 points ► The ideas of each sentence are not connected with the other
coherence and cohesion
sentences.
0 point ► No answer.

10 points ► The essay contains relevant ideas that clearly discusses the
(50%) Content – Relevance of
main topic.
idea; Logically-organized and
8 points ►The essay contains relevant ideas but poorly discusses the main
well-structured specific central
topic.
idea and supporting details
6 points ►The essay poorly discusses the main topic with irrelevant ideas.
0 point ► No answer

*******“Language is the dress of one’s thoughts.” *******

Prepared by:

Ma. Jane Gwen K. Besas and Mayvilyn De Guzman

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