NAME

DATE
___________________________________________________________

ENGLISH LANGUAGE 2 HOURS

____________________________________________________

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

____________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

Write your name and date in the space at the top of this page.
You are evaluated based on four components which are not optional.
Read each instruction carefully and answer ALL questions accordingly.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES:

The number of marks is given in brackets ( ) at the end of each question.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE

Component 1: Grammar

Component 2: Vocabulary

Component 3: Reading Comprehension

Component 4: Writing

TOTAL:
 COMPONENT 1: GRAMMAR (15 MARKS)

1.1 Each line has a grammatical error excluding the last line. Identify and underline one
grammatical error in each line. Then, write the correct answer in the space provided.

The Book of Water discuss strategy as well as other matters, such as 1) __________

religion and spirituality. The reader is advise to be determined yet calm in 2) __________

all situation, and achieve a balance between emotion and thought. 3) __________

Musashi also advises which a fighter should be able to perceive 4) __________

everything around him without moved his eyes. This is a skill which 5) __________

requires an enormous amount of practice to perfect.

/5

1.2 Underline the correct answer to each sentence.

1. Water is to boil / is boiling / boils at a temperature of 100°C.

2. In some countries there is / is / it is very hot all the time.
3. In cold countries people wear thick clothes for keeping / to keep / for to keep warm.
4. Learning a second language is not the same as / like / than learning our mother tongue.
5. Alice is not used to the study / to study / to studying grammar in her own language.
6. Live / Life / Living with a foreign family can be a good way to learn a language.
7. He takes his turn, and she takes herself / hers / it.
8. Katherine made her children do / did / doing chores last Sunday.
9. In spite of / Because of / Despite the bad weather, the outdoor party was rescheduled.
10. Parents approved of the plan, think / thought / thinking it would benefit their children.

/10
 COMPONENT 2: VOCABULARY (15 MARKS)

2.1 Construct one suitable sentence for each word. You may change its tense, but not its form.

1. Eliminate : _________________________________________________________
2. Equip : _________________________________________________________
3. Portray : _________________________________________________________
4. Refrain : _________________________________________________________
5. Implement : _________________________________________________________
6. Cultivate : _________________________________________________________
7. Complement : _________________________________________________________
8. Legalise : _________________________________________________________
9. Acknowledge : _________________________________________________________
10. Reciprocate : _________________________________________________________

/10

2.2 Select the most suitable word for each sentence.

1. She has applied for …………… to law school.

a. Authorisation
b. Admission
c. Acquisition
d. Anticipation

2. People usually …………… things that are sources of pride — like goals or records.
a. Accomplish
b. Accustom
c. Accommodate
d. Assimilate

3. Older people are often particularly …………… members of our society.

a. Visible
b. Vulnerable
c. Variable
d. Viable

4. The …………… woman gave all her money to a fake charity.

a. Gentle
b. Gullible
c. Gluttonous
d. Garrulous
5. The criminal seemed …………… to answer the police’s questions.
a. Reluctant
b. Reliable
c. Reputable
d. Recognisable

6. The person roaming around our neighbourhood yesterday was arrested for ……………
involving a big amount of money.
a. Division
b. Detention
c. Deception
d. Decision

7. The loss proved that the team is not ……………. despite being known as The
Undefeated.
a. Invisible
b. Indescribable
c. Incredible
d. Invincible

8. The candidate’s speech always ……………. most of her opponents.

a. Inflicts
b. Intrigues
c. Impedes
d. Interests

9. He could not conceal his ……………. when he saw his rival.

a. Hostility
b. Hospitality
c. Habituality
d. Harmony

10. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most ……………. figures.

a. Prominent
b. Paramount
c. Persistent
d. Precedent

/5
 COMPONENT 3: READING COMPREHENSION (10 MARKS)

3.1 Read the following two passages and answer the following questions.

Passage 1:

The unsung heroes -- that's what they are. They are uniformed men and women who protect our
country from danger and foreign intrusion; day after day, month after month, year after year.

Countless are the sacrifices they have made, risking their lives for the safety of our nation. Their
call of duty sometimes brings them far away from their loved ones for long periods of time, to
areas ravaged by war and famine and afflicted with disease. Often, they are unable to join their
family members for birthdays, anniversaries and other festive occasions like Hari Raya,
Deepavali, Christmas or Chinese New Year.

Yet, sadly, we fail to appreciate their deeds and sacrifices. We tend to be blind to the fact that
every day, the members of the armed forces are playing their part to ensure that the peace of
our country is maintained. They patrol our seas and skies, and guard our borders against
foreign intrusion. We have the marine police protecting our waters, looking out for pirates and
smugglers who bring in illegal immigrants or smuggle goods in or out of the country under the
cover of darkness; the air force protecting us from air raids and helping out in rescue missions;
the police who see to the smooth running of traffic and security in our towns and countryside,
and members of the Federal Reserve Unit who prevent riots and fights.

We do not have to wait until Warriors’ Day to remember them. In fact, for every new day we are
blessed with peace, we have them to thank.

1. In the expression ‘The Unsung heroes’, the word ‘unsung’ means that the heroes are not
a. Singers.
b. Brave.
c. Praised.
d. Real heroes.

2. According to the passage, the unsung heroes are unable to

a. Work with their family members.
b. Support their family financially.
c. Celebrate any special occasions or festivals.
d. Be with their family members most of the time.

3. The word ‘countless’ can be replaced with

a. Too long.
b. Too many.
c. Too difficult.
d. Too insignificant.
 4. The following are the physical dangers faced by the members of the armed forces
except
a. Working in war-torn areas.
b. Having to deal with intruders.
c. Risking their lives to protect the country.
d. Being forgotten by their family members.

5. The underlined phrase means ……………

a. See with eyes.
b. See with binoculars.
c. Take care of.
d. Keep track of.

/5

Passage 2:

Dogs and cats should never be fed chocolate, because it works like a poison in their bodies.
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. Human bodies
are able to process the theobromine without any ill side effects, but dogs and cats cannot.
Different types of chocolate have different amounts of theobromine. It would take 20 ounces of
milk chocolate to kill a twenty-pound dog, but only two ounces of baker’s chocolate or six
ounces of semisweet chocolate. The amounts, of course, are much smaller for a cat, whose
body weight is typically less than that of a dog. Most cats are not naturally attracted to eating
chocolate, but many dogs are. Dogs by nature will sample nearly anything that they see their
masters eating, so pet owners must keep all chocolate products out of their pets’ reach.

6. According to the passage, why is chocolate poisonous for dogs and cats?
a. It contains caffeine.
b. Chocolate is made of processed cocoa.
c. It gets stuck in their intestines.
d. Dogs and cats cannot process theobromine.

7. How much milk chocolate would be poisonous to a cat, according to the passage?
a. Substantially less than 20 ounces.
b. Substantially more than 20 ounces.
c. Approximately one pound.
d. 20 pounds.

8. Why might dogs eat chocolate, according to the passage?

a. Chocolate tastes good.
b. Their owners keep chocolate within their reach.
c. They can smell the theobromine.
d. Dogs like to imitate their owners.
9. Which statement about the passage is false?
a. Theobromine does not really harm human beings.
b. All types of chocolate pose the same rate of fatality to dogs.
c. Cats are generally lighter than dogs.
d. Dogs tend to imitate their owners.

10. What best summarises the passage?

a. Look before you leap.
b. Pet food for pets, people food for people.
c. Monkey see, monkey do.
d. A penny saved is a penny earned.

/5
 COMPONENT 4: WRITING (20 MARKS)

4.1 Given below is an incomplete essay on the importance of good manners. Complete the
essay by expanding each main point allocated to each body paragraph with two sentences
containing relevant justification. Consecutively, write one sentence in the final paragraph that
brings the essay to a close.

“Say please!” my mother told my seven-year-old cousin when he asked for another
scoop of ice cream. Coming from a family with strict values and taught to have impeccable
manners, I believe that good manners are essential. Having good manners paves the way for
success, makes us behave respectfully towards others, and makes us better individuals.

Firstly, good manners are a fundamental bridge that links someone to success.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Good manners set the stage for good social connections, increasing one’s opportunities and
likelihood to prosper in life.

Secondly, having good manners makes you become respectful of people around you.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Having good manners is certainly crucial for human beings to coexist in peace and harmony.

We may also become better individuals simply by having and practising good manners.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
It is irrefutable that having good manners is a key element in growing as an individual.

There are various reasons why one should have good manners and it is imperative for
us to practise these manners in order to be better persons, behave respectfully to others, and
move up in life. _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

/20