NAME CLASS

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Academic Year 2021 - 2022 – Term One
ENGLISH LANGUAGE – SECONDARY THREE
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FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH
Reading Comprehension and Summary Writing
TIME: 1 hour

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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your name and class on your submission.

Write in dark blue or black ink. You may answer directly SECTION MARKS
on this file using your Apple Pencil, or write your answer
on foolscap.
Question 1 /20
Dictionaries are not permitted.

Submit in pdf format. Multiple photo submissions will get

Question 2 /15
a deduction.
TOTAL /35

This document consists of 4 pages including the cover page.

[Turn over]
Read carefully the following passage and answer Question 1 and Question 2.

My Plans For This Class

‘I am your teacher, and I think it right and proper that I should let you know something of my plans
for this class.’ I said in a most informally pleasant register. ‘We’re going to talk, you and I, but we’ll
be reasonable with each other. I would like you to listen to me without interrupting in any way, and
when I’m through any of you may say your piece without interruption from me.’

They were interested, in spite of themselves; even the husky, blasé Denham was leaning forward
on his desk watching me.

‘My business here is to teach you, and I shall do my best to make my teaching as interesting as
possible. If at any time I say anything you do not understand or agree with, I would be pleased if
you would let me know. Most of you will be leaving school within six months, embarking on the
adult business of earning a living. Bearing that in mind, I have decided that from now on you will be
treated, not as children, but as young men and women, by me and by each other.’

At this moment the door was flung open and Pamela Dare rushed in, somewhat breathlessly, to
take her seat. She was very late.

‘For instance,’ I continued, ‘there are two ways to enter a room; one in a controlled, dignified
manner, the other as if someone had just planted a heavy foot in your backside. Miss Dare has just
shown us the second; I’m sure she will now demonstrate the first.’ I was annoyed by the way she
had just barged her way in, insolently late.

Her eyes were black with anger and humiliation, but she stood up and walked out, closing the door
quietly behind her, and opened it as quietly before walking to her seat.

‘Thank you. Starting today, you will address me as “Mr Braithwaite” or “Sir”; the young ladies will
be addressed as “Miss” and the young men by their surnames.’

‘Why should we call ‘em “Miss”, we know ‘em,’ Potter protested.

‘What is your name?’

‘Potter.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Potter, Sir.’

‘Thank you, Potter. Now is there any young lady present whom you consider unworthy of your
courtesies?’

‘No, Sir.’

‘You should remember, Potter, that in a little while, all of you may be expected to express these
courtesies as part of your jobs; it would be helpful to you to become accustomed to giving and
receiving them. The next point concerns the general deportment and conduct of the class. First,
the young ladies. I have asked Mrs Dale-Evans to discuss matters with you during Domestic
Science period.’

‘Now the boys. I have seen stevedores and longshoremen who looked a lot cleaner and tidier.
There is nothing weak or unmanly about clean hands and faces and shoes that are brushed. A man
who is strong and tough never needs to show it in his dress or the way he cuts his hair. Toughness
is a quality of the mind, like bravery or honesty or ambition; it has nothing whatever to do with
muscles. I suppose that in about a year or so some of you will be thinking of girlfriends; believe me,
they will think you much more attractive with clean teeth, hands and faces than without.’
‘You are the top class; the operative word is “top”. That means you must set the standards in all
things for the rest of the school, for, whether you wish it or no, the younger ones will ape everything
you do or say. So, for as long as you’re here, much of their conduct will be your responsibility. As
the top class you must be top in cleanliness, deportment, courtesy and work. I shall help you in
every way I can, both by example and encouragement. I believe that you have it in you to be a fine
class, but I could be wrong; it all depends on you. Now any questions?’

from To Sir With Love – E. R. Braithwaite

Question 1
Answer all items using your own words as far as possible.

(a) What does the teacher want the students to use when they call someone in class? [2]

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(b) What were the teacher’s and Pamela’s reaction to each other? [2]

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(c) Why did Potter show resistance to the teacher? [1]

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(d) How did the teacher persuade Potter? [2]

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(e) What was the teacher’s opinion on cleanliness? How did he try to convince the boys? [2]

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(f) What did the teacher mean by ‘top class’? [1]

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 (g) Express the following phrases in your own words

(i) interested in spite of themselves…...……………………………………………………...……… [2]

(ii) embarking on the adult business…...…………………………..………………………...……… [2]

(iii) planted a heavy foot in your backside…………………………………………………………… [2]

(iv) unworthy of courtesies…..………………………………………………………...……...……… [2]

(v) ape everything……………………………………………………………………………...……… [2]

Question 2

Write a summary of what the passage tells you about the teacher’s expectations for the class
and the reasons for these expectations.

You must use continuous writing and use your own words as far as possible.

Your summary should not be more than 120 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 5 marks for the quality of
your writing.

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