FIRST PERIODICAL EXAM IN ENGLISH

FOR GRADE 8
Name: Date:
Teacher: Ms. Jesicca C. Diloy Score:

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided BEFORE
each number.
A. Use appropriate cohesive devices. Choose from the options below.

a. AND b. SO c. BECAUSE d. OR e. BUT

1. I could not check my Facebook account _____ I was too busy.

2. I could not go with my friend _____ he went without me.
3. My friend went to the cinema to see a film _____ the film wasn't very good.
4. Do you want a mango juice ____ a guava juice?
5. It was my birthday _____ he didn't greet me
6. The new Buck Estate SENIOR High School is now open _____ it is offering a lot of scholarship.
7. I didn't write to him _____ he didn't write to me

B. Identify the appropriate use of prosodic features of speech.

8. The record showed that the students attended the class. A. REcord B. reCORD
9. Father receives a present from his children on his birthday. A. PREsent B. preSENT
10. In the question “Where are you?” What is the ending intonation? A. Rising B. Falling
11. Is your father home already? A. Rising B. Falling

C. Explain how the elements specific to a genre contribute to the theme of a particular
literary selection.

12. Your teacher asked you to recite an excerpt of the speech of the Prime Minister of Japan in your
literature class as part of your ―Team Asia activity. Your teacher is expecting you to:
a. copy the full text of the speech
b. interpret the speech
c. make an outline of the speech
d. make the speech short including only the key points

13. Most of the themes in African Literature focus on freedom, independence, equality and economic
freedom to name a few. What do these lines from the African story of creation reveal about their
values?
A West African creation tale explains how two spirit people were accidentally sent down to earth by the sky god. Lonely,
the people decided to create children from clay, but feel they must hide them when the sky god comes down. Because they
are hidden in fire, the children soon turn to various shades based on how long they had been exposed to the heat. Over
time, these clay children grow up and move to various regions of the earth, ultimately populating it (Fader).

a. Africans value people‘s differences.

b. Africans follow their religion.
c. Africans entertain themselves through tales.
d. Africans are hardworking people.
 14. Here are some English translations of the Japanese Haiku:
1. a clear waterfall —
into the ripples
fall green pine-needles
2. low tide morning...
the willow skirts are tailed
in stinking mud
3. your hermitage
the moon and chrysanthemums
plus an acre of rice fields
Haikus are traditional Japanese poems. What do these three Haikus say about the Japanese?
a. They are inspired by nature.
b. They are moon worshippers.
c. They like to view low tide.
d. They write about water, moon and mud.

D. Determine arrangement of adjectives in the sentences.

15. Who left (two-week-old, rotten, this) banana?

a. This two-week-old, rotten
b. This rotten, two-week-old
c. rotten, two-week-old, this
16. She chose (cute, a, pink, girls', bowling Hello Kitty) ball.
a. A cute Hello Kitty bowling
b. A Hello Kitty cute bowling
c. A bowling Hello Kitty cute
17. He was wearing a ________ shirt.
a. dirty old flannel b. flannel old dirty c. old dirty flannel
18. All the girls fell in love with the ________ teacher
a. American new handsome b. handsome new American c. new handsome American

E. Appreciate literature as a means of understanding the human being and the forces
he/she needs to contend with

19. You‘re a columnist in your school paper and in your column you give advice on appropriate acts to

Dear Ask Me,

Hi, My Chinese friend whose birthday falls on the same day as mine has given me a gift. I learned in my English 8
class that reciprocating is one of the Chinese values, so I have bought a gift for her too. How should I give my gift? I
understand Chinese has a rich culture and tradition. I want my friend to be happy. Thanks!
Sincerely yours,
Thelma
Hi Thelma, like the Filipinos, Chinese would appreciate gifts that are given wholeheartedly. However, you‘d show
how much you care for them more by considering their culture. One way of doing that is by __________________. I
hope your friendship will remain strong. Take care!

Ask Me

be done based on one‘s traditions and values. What tip should you give your reader who wrote…
a. Wrapping your gift with white paper.
b. Wrapping your gift in colorful wrappers.
c. Wrapping your gift in transparent plastic.
d. Wrapping your gift in red and gold.
 20. Which of the following is not NOT TRUE in the excerpt The Hands of the Blacks by Luis Bernardo
Honwana?
a. The boy in the story is very serious when it comes to his studies
b. The black Americans were being bullied by other colored people
c. The mother is lying to her son

F. Describe the notable literary genres contributed by African writers

21. Which of the following is NOT TRUE in the poem “I am an African Child” by Eku McGred?
a. This poem shows that Africans have their dreams and talents too.
b. It persuades black Americans to fight for their right
c. It persuades the white Americans to recognize the blacks and give them a chance to
prove themselves.
22. Which of the following is TRUE in the excerpt The Hands of the Blacks by Luis Bernardo
Honwana?
a. The boy in the story symbolize all black Americans
b. The black Americans bullies colored people
c. The general religion in Africa is Catholic

23. Which is NOT TRUE in the theme of African literature?

a. It is influenced by nature
b. It discusses about freedom
c. It is similar with some Filipino literatures

24. Which is TRUE about “Hands of the Blacks”?

a. The characters in the excerpt is experiencing troubles in the society.
b. The problem of the boy is very shallow and of little importance
c. The mother in the story does not care if the boy finds or did not find the answer

G. Draw similarities and differences of the featured selections in relation to the theme

25. Which text shows similarities with Filipino custom of being “HARDWORKING”?
a. Hands of the Blacks
b. The Story of the Aged Mother
c. The Soul of the Great Bell

26. Which is NOT a similarity between The Story of the Aged Mother and e Soul of the Great Bell?
a. Love for parents
b. Belief in fortune teller
c. Bowing of heads as sign of respect

27. Read the statement below and find the theme similar to the story of the aged mother
Parents are really very keen to see that their children are married to suitable families. Married sons continue to
live in the same household with their parents. It is considered ideal for men to marry and bring their wives to go
and live with their husbands after marriage

a. Love for parents

b. Belief in fortune teller
c. Bowing of heads as sign of respect

H. Explain how a selection may be influenced by culture, history, environment, or other

factors

28. Read the selection below.

Rather than the overworked adobo ( so identified as the Philippine stew in foreign cookbooks),
sinigang seems to me the dish most representative of Filipino taste. We like the lightly boiled, the slightly
soured, the dish that includes fish (or shrimp or meat) vegetables and broth. It is adaptable to all tastes ( if you
What environmental factor could have influenced the author in choosing to write about the article?
a. Filipinos live in a tropical country where in the vegetables included in sinigang are always
available
b. It had been a tradition for the Filipinos to cook sinigang everyday
c. The taste suits the author and he really like the sinigang.

29. What cultural factor could have influenced the author in choosing to write about the article?
a. The author, being a Filipino is very hardworking
b. The Filipinos have a belief of using vegetables in their dishes is a sign of maintaining good
health
c. Filipinos have long before customarily eat with rice instead of bread.

30. Therefore, the molds had to be once more prepared, and the fires rekindled, and the metal
remelted, and all the work tediously and toilsomely repeated for forty days. What does this reveal
about the Chinese?
a. They believe in Feng-shui c. they are hardworking
b. They are obedient and respectful d. they believe in fortune-teller
31. Finally he lifted his head. “Shinano needs more than strength of youth” he said gravely. “Ah, that I
should have forgotten the well-known saying, ―with the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom!”.
That very hour the cruel law was abolished, and the custom drifted into as far a past that only
legends remain. What does this say about Japan?
a. Japanese value wisdom other than strength
b. Japanese has close family ties that they are willing to make great sacrifices for family
c. The Japanese is very obedient.
d. The Japanese are wise and intelligent
32. Which is NOT true about japan?
a. Japanese value wisdom other than strength
b. Japanese has close family ties that they are willing to make great sacrifices for family
c. The Japanese are very obedient.
d. The Japanese are unwise

I. Read intensively to determine the author’s purpose. Read the following and identify the
author’s purpose. Choose from the options below

a. To inform b. to persuade c. to entertain d. argue

33. A brochure for custom glass windows with product descriptions, sample images, & coupons.
34. The story of a teacher who helps some of her troubled students get to college.
35. A letter from a pregnant girl to her boyfriend giving reasons why they should keep the baby.
36. A pamphlet explaining how an unborn child may be affected when a pregnant mother smokes.

J. Skim to determine key ideas. Read the following paragraphs and identify the main
idea.

37. The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug
flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited
for the next bug.
a. Frogs are green. c. Frogs do not move.
b. Frogs eat bugs d. Frogs live in ponds.
38. It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their
T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead
of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down
a. Dessert is supposed to come last. c. It is hard to do things backward.
b. The students had a backward day d. Students failed their tests.
39. Jon held the ball in his hands. He bounced it slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He crouched low
and then jumped. The ball flew into the air. Up, up, up, it went. Then down, down, down, into the
basket. "Yes!" he yelled. "Nothing but net!"
a. How to throw a basketball. c. Jon liked basketball.
b. Jon could jump d. the ball shoot inside the basket

40. However, despite the beliefs of these 17-21 million people, there is no evidence that accidents
are more likely to happen on Friday the 13th. On the contrary, some studies have shown there are
actually fewer accidents on Friday the 13th. A recent report completed by a Dutch insurance
company showed that there were fewer incidents of fires and theft on Fridays that fell on the 13th
than on any other Fridays in the same year. It is highly probable that this reduction in accidents
owes itself to the fear of Friday the 13th itself. If people are more cautious on Friday the 13th, then
there are likely to be fewer accidents.
If, then, there is no significant evidence that Friday the 13th is any more dangerous than any
other day of the year, why do friggatriskaidekaphobics remain convinced of its unluckiness? While
the historical or folk traditions discussed earlier may have something to do with this belief, people
may also use associational links to justify their superstitions. If a friggatriskaidekaphobic loses his
wallet on Tuesday the 21st, for example, he would probably not assign any meaning to the date on
which this event occurred. If the same individual lost his wallet on Friday the 13th, however, he
might be likely to conclude that the inauspicious nature of Friday the 13th was at fault.

This passage is most likely an excerpt from…

A. the case study of a patient suffering from friggatriskaidekaphobia

B. the introduction to an article about friggatriskaidekaphobia
C. the introduction to a study about the likelihood of accidents occurring on Friday the 13th
D. the conclusion of a longer work that analyzes evidence about the superstition of Friday the
13th

41. Which of the following pieces of evidence, if true, would best support the author’s argument in
paragraph 1
a. In ancient Egypt, the number 13 was actually considered lucky by the pharaohs.
b. Major airlines report that there is no significant drop in the number of passengers who fly on
Friday the 13th.
c. Studies performed in the United Kingdom reveal that significantly fewer people choose to
drive their cars to work on Friday the 13th.
d. 50% fewer marriages occur on Friday the 13th than on other Fridays occurring in the same
year

K. Use context clues from the material viewed to determine the meaning of unfamiliar
words or expressions
42. If the same individual lost his wallet on Friday the 13th, however, he might be likely to conclude that
the inauspicious nature of Friday the 13th was at fault. Which is the best antonym for inauspicious
a. predictable c. fortunate
b. pleasant d. successful
43. Precipitation, such as rain and snow, falls from the sky. Precipitation means ______
a. lightening c. thunder.
b. water that falls from the sky d. Tsunami
44. My little sister is a nuisance when she asks too many silly questions. Nuisance means ______
a. Teacher c. help
b. Friend d. Irritating
45. She winced in pain when the big rock fell on her foot. In this sentence, the word winced means
a. Flinched c. Jumped
b. Cried d. Scream
 L. Determine the meaning of idiomatic expressions by noting context clues and
collocations. Identify the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expressions.

46. It’s raining cats and dogs, I’m sure the classes will be suspended again today.
a. The rain is as loud as a cat and a dog fighting
b. The rain is very light
c. The rain is very heavy
d. The dogs and the cats are falling from the sky
47. Jonas cheated on the test, I knew it’s wrong but I turned a blind eye and did not say anything to the
teacher
a. I remove one of my eyes
b. I did not see
c. I pretend not to have noticed it.
d. I blinded Jonas
48. My father rarely have a time to return to the Philippines from his work in Dubai. I only see him once
in a blue moon.
a. Always b. Sometimes c. Never d. Often
49. I can’t concentrate – let’s call it a day
a. to stop doing something for the day
b. not to concentrate
c. feeling lazy
d. finishing the work
50. He saved me from being bullied by my classmates yesterday– he’s my knight in shining armour.
a. male who typically comes to the rescue
b. he is a knight on a white horse
c. he is a classmate who bullies others
d. he is a good person who doesn’t lie

M. Determine the meaning of words and expressions that reflect the local culture by
noting context clues

51. Senhor Antunes, the Coca Cola man, who only comes to the village now and again when all the
cokes in the cantina have been sold, said to me that everything I had been told was a lot of baloney
then he told me what he knew about this things of the black‘s hands. Baloney means…
a. Truth b. Lies c. Accurate d. Incorrect
52. Long ago, many years ago, God, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, many other
saints, all the angels were in heaven then, and some of the people who had died and gone to
Heaven- they all had a meeting and decided to make blacks. Do you know how? They got hold of
some clay and pressed it into some second- hand mold. And to bake them of the creatures, they
took them to heavenly kilns. (The Hands of the Blacks)

What is the meaning of Mold?

a. The surface of earth, ground
b. A frame on which clay is shaped
c. A fungus
d. A very great fire

53. What is the meaning of Articulate?

I am an African child
Born of a skin the color of the chocolate
Bright brilliant and articulate
Strong and bold Im gifted
Talented enough to be the best
I am an African child

a. Clearly expressing oneself, fluent

 b. Strong feeling of sadness and sympathy for someone or something
c. Placed in a very small space
d. Very intelligent

54. What is the meaning of Thrive?

Often the target of pity
My future is not confined to charity
Give me the gift of a lifetime
Give me a dream a door of opportunity
I will thrive
I am an African child

a. Amount of time or situation in which something can be done

b. To improve and develop successfully
c. To take responsibility for a problem
d. To do what he can do

N. Generate ideas and their relationships

55. Rather than the overworked adobo (so identified as the Philippine stew in foreign cookbooks),
sinigang seems to me the dish most representative of Filipino taste. We like the lightly boiled, the
slightly soured, the dish that includes fish (or shrimp or meat) vegetables and broth. It is adaptable
to all tastes (if you don‘t like shrimp, then bangus, or pork), to all classes and budgets, (even
ayungin, in humble little piles, find their way into the pot), and to seasons and availability (walang
talong, mahal ang gabi, kangkong na lang).
But why? Why does sinigang find its way to bare dulang, to formica-topped restaurant booth, to
gleaming ilustrado table? Why does one like anything at all? How is a people‘s taste shaped?
But still, why soured? Aside from the fact that sour broths are cooling in hot weather, could it be
perhaps because the dish is meant to be eaten against the mild background of rice? Easy to plant
and harvest, and allowing more than one crop a year, rice is ubiquitous on the landscape. One can
picture our ancestors settling down beside their rivers and finally tuning to the cultivation of fields,
with rice as one of the first steady crops. (Why Sinigang?)

What does these paragraphs show about Filipinos?

a. Filipinos are better in cooking Philippine stew or SINIGANG than adobo
b. Philippine stew or SINIGANG truly represents the Filipino taste
c. SINIGANG is very flexible when it comes to ingredients
d. Filipinos are very particular when it comes to dishes

56. But before he lifted his finger, a cry caused him to turn his head and all heard the voice of Ko-
Ngai sounding sharply sweet as a bird‘s song above the great thunder of the fires—―For thy sake,
O my father!‖ And even as she cried, she leaped into the white flood of metal; and the lava of the
furnace roared to receive her, and spattered monstrous flakes of flame to the roof, and burst over
the verge of the earthen crater, and cast up a whirling fountain of many-colored fires, and subsided
quaking, with lightning and with thunders and with mutterings. (The Soul of the Great Bell)
What does this expose about Chinese?
a. Chinese daughters have eternal love for their fathers
b. Chinese has close family ties that they are willing to make great sacrifices for their
family
c. The Chinese believes in sacrificing human lives for a great feat.
d. The Chinese are naïve

57. The trembling mother‘s voice was full of unselfish love as she gave her last injunction. “―Let not
thine eyes be blinded, my son.” she said “―The mountain road is full of dangers. Look carefully
and follow the path which holds the piles of twigs. They will guide you to the familiar way farther
down”
 The son‘s surprised eyes looked back over the path, then at the poor old, shriveled hands all
scratched and soiled by their work of love. His heart smote him and bowing to the grounds, he cried
aloud: “―Oh, honorable mother, thy kindness thrusts my heart! I will not leave thee. Together we
will follow the path of twigs, and together we will die!" (The Story of the Aged Mother)

What does this reveal about Japanese?

a. Japanese value wisdom other than strength
b. Japanese has close family ties that they are willing to make great sacrifices for family
c. The Japanese is very obedient.
d. The Japanese are wise and intelligent

O. Present ideas using appropriate graphic organizers

58. Which text is NOT applicable with the graphic organizer above?
a. The Soul of the Great Bell
b. The Hands of the Blacks
c. I am an African Child
d. The Four Puppets

59. Which topic is suitable to the graphic organizer above?

a. Similarities and differences of the characters in the story
b. The elements of poetry
c. The setting and the characters of the story
d. The plot of the story
60. Which graphic organizer shows the hierarchy of ideas?
a. Table b. Pie Chart c. Pictograph d. Tree Diagram
 “FRIENDSHIP ENDS WHEN EXAMINATION BEGINS”
Good luck and God Bless!
KEY TO CORRECTION
FIRST PERIODICAL EXAM IN ENGLISH
FOR GRADE 8

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE
A. Use appropriate cohesive devices.

1. C 5. E
2. B 6. A
3. E 7. C and A
4. D
 B. Identify the appropriate use of prosodic features of speech.

8. A 10. B
9. A 11. A

C. Explain how the elements specific to a genre contribute to the theme of a particular
literary selection.

12. D 14. A
13. A

D. Determine arrangement of adjectives in the sentences.

15. B 17. A
16. A 18. B

E. Appreciate literature as a means of understanding the human being and the forces
he/she needs to contend with

19. D 20. C

F. Describe the notable literary genres contributed by African writers

21. B 23. A
22. A 24. A

G. Draw similarities and differences of the featured selections in relation to the theme

25. C 27. A
26. B
H. Explain how a selection may be influenced by culture, history, environment, or other
factors

28. A 31. A
29. B 32. D
30. C

I. Read intensively to determine the author’s purpose

33. A 35. B
34. C / D 36. B
37.

J. Skim to determine key ideas

38. B 41. D.
39. C 42. C.
40. D
43.

K. Use context clues from the material viewed to determine the meaning of unfamiliar
words or expressions
44. C. 46. D.
45. B. 47. A.
 L. Determine the meaning of idiomatic expressions by noting context clues and
collocations

48. C 51. A
49. C 52. A
50. B

M. Determine the meaning of words and expressions that reflect the local culture by
noting context clues

53. B 55. A
54. B 56. B

N. Generate ideas and their relationships

57. B 59. B
58. B

O. Present ideas using appropriate graphic organizers

60. C 62. D
61. A

TABLE OF SPECIFICATIONS OF
FIRST PERIODICAL TEST IN ENGLISH
FOR GRADE 8

OBJECTIVES Hours Percentage No. of Item

Taught Items Placement
EN8G-Ia-8: Use appropriate cohesive devices 5 12.5 7 1-7
EN8OL-Ie-5: Identify prosodic features of speech 2 5 4 8-11
EN8LT-Ie-2.2: Explain how the elements specific to a genre 2 5 3 12-14
contribute to the theme of a particular literary selection
EN8G-Ie-2.2.3: Determine arrangement of adjectives in the 3 7.5 4 15-18
sentences
EN8LT-If-7: Appreciate literature as a means of understanding 1 2.5 2 19-20
the human being and the forces he/she needs to contend with
EN8LT-Ig-8: Describe the notable literary genres contributed 2 5 3 21-23
by African writers
EN8LT-Ig-2.3: Draw similarities and differences of the 3 7.5 4 24-27
featured selections in relation to the theme
EN8LT-Ii-3: Explain how a selection may be influenced by 3 7.5 5 28-32
culture, history, environment, or other factors
EN8RC-Ig-7.1: Read intensively to determine the author’s 3 7.5 4 33-36
purpose
EN8SS-Ic-1.5.1: Skim to determine key ideas 3 7.5 5 37-41
EN8VC-Ia-8: Use context clues from the material viewed to 3 7.5 4 42-45
determine the meaning of unfamiliar words or expressions
EN8V-Ia-10.2: Determine the meaning of idiomatic 3 7.5 5 46-50
expressions by noting context clues and collocations
EN8V-If-6: Determine the meaning of words and expressions 3 7.5 4 51-54
that reflect the local culture by noting context clues
EN8WC-Ia-1.1: Generate ideas and their relationships 2 5 3 55-57
EN8WC-Ia-1.1.6.1: Present ideas using appropriate graphic 2 5 3 58-60
organizers
  40 100 60