3 ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 (NOVEMBER 2014)

SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION 1

Read the passage below carefully and answer ALL the questions that follow.

SOUTH AFRICA: LAND OF CONTRASTS

1. South Africa is a land of contrasts. From the majestic mountains in the

Western Cape, with its Mediterranean climate and vineyards, to the lush,
rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, and the dry Karoo and the vast, empty
wilderness of the Northern Cape, South Africa never fails to hold surprises
for its visitors.

2. South Africa has much to offer in the form of flora and fauna. There are
over 1 000 bird species in South Africa and the Western Cape has more
than 23 000 plant and flower species. But South Africa does not only offer
wildlife and landscapes to the tourist. It also has its fair share of shopping
centres, art galleries, museums and historical buildings. Let me take you
on a tour to some of the attractions in our beautiful country.

3. Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and boasts many tourist
attractions. A must-see landmark is the pentagon-shaped Castle of Good
Hope, the oldest building in South Africa. While in Cape Town, do visit the
Victoria and Albert Waterfront, the beautifully restored old Victorian
Harbour which has an abundance of shops and free entertainment. Don’t
miss a boat trip to Robben Island nearby, where Nelson Mandela was
imprisoned for 18 years. It is now a museum.

4. In KwaZulu-Natal, Durban will offer you a variety of cultures, among others,

the large Indian community with their mosques, temples, exotic bazaars
and markets where you can purchase spices and silk saris. See the Indian
firewalkers during the festival in autumn in Cato Manor.

5. Mpumalanga and Limpopo are the provinces where you can see the most
wildlife. The famous Kruger National Park is situated in these two
provinces and is a very popular tourist attraction. In Hoedspruit, Limpopo,
you can visit the rehabilitation centre for wildlife and find out about the
cheetah project.

6. If you prefer the concrete jungle, Gauteng is the place for you. You can
visit Gold Reef City and go on an underground tour to see how gold was
mined in the olden days. You can also visit the Apartheid Museum where
you can learn about or country’s tragic past.

7. South Africa is a spectacular and exciting country. It has the one

advantage that few other countries have: its warm and sunny climate
which is only surpassed by the warm and friendly people who form part of
the Rainbow Nation. Why go overseas when South Africa has so much to
offer? Be a tourist in your own country.

[Adapted from My Clever FAL, Grade 11, 2006]

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(NOVEMBER 2014) ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 4

1.1 Complete the following by writing down the missing words: The Western
Cape is known for its 1.1.1 … and 1.1.2 … . (2)

1.2 Choose the correct answer from the options given. Write ONLY the letter
(A–D) of your choice as your answer.

“Flora and fauna” (paragraph 2) mean …

A the majestic mountains and hills of South Africa.

B plants and animals that are indigenous to South Africa.
C the contrast between the different provinces in South Africa.
D the people from different cultures that live in South Africa. (1)

1.3 State whether this statement is TRUE or FALSE. Write only the word
TRUE or FALSE as your answer and then the quote.

The only tourist attractions South Africa offers are the wildlife and
landscapes.

Quote from paragraph 2 to prove your answer. (2)

1.4 Refer to Paragraph 2: “Let me take you on a tour to some of the

attractions in our beautiful country.”

Is this invitation meant literally or figuratively? (1)

1.5 Name TWO places a tourist can visit in Cape Town. (2)

1.6 What is the oldest building in South Africa? (1)

1.7 Give a reason why you think Robben Island might be a popular tourist
attraction. (2)

1.8 8.1 What does Durban offer the tourist that you would not find in other
cities? Use your own words. (1)

8.2 Give an example from the text to support your answer in

QUESTION 8.1. (1)

1.9 Why would autumn be a good time to visit Cator Manor? (1)

1.10 Explain why you would rather visit Mpumalanga or Limpopo, than
Gauteng, if you were a nature lover. (1)

1.11 What is meant by ‘concrete jungle’, paragraph 6? (1)

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5 ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 (NOVEMBER 2014)

1.12 State whether the following is a FACT or OPINION:

You will find the Apartheid Museum in Gauteng. (1)

1.13 What makes South Africa different from most other countries?
Mention TWO aspects in your own words. (2)

1.14 Quote ONE word from paragraph 6 that tells us the writer feels South
Africa does not have a happy history. (1)

1.15 Refer to the last two sentences.

Do you agree with the writer that South Africans should rather be tourists
in South Africa than go overseas? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

1.16 Study the title. What do you think does the writer refer to when he says
that South Africa is a land of contrasts? (2)

1 Choose the correct answer from the options given. Write only the letter of
your choice as your answer.

The purpose (reason why the writer wrote) of this article is …

A to entertain.
B to amuse.
C to analyse.
D to inform. (1)

TOTAL SECTION A: 25

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(EC/NOVEMBER 2017) ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 3

SECTION A: COMPREHENSION

QUESTION 1

Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

TEXT A

IT’S A HOME RUN!

1 “Now coming in for second base for Pittsburgh Pirates – Gift Ngoepe ...,” boomed
the announcer’s voice over the public-address system. The South African was
overcome with pride as he stood in PNC Park, his team’s home stadium in
Pennsylvania, nearly 14 000 km from Limpopo where he was born. He was
making history as the first South African to play for an American major league
baseball team as well as being the first African to do so.
2 Gift’s big dream began in 1991 in the clubhouse at Randburg Mets Baseball Club
in Johannesburg. His mother, Maureen, began working there as a cook and
cleaner. As the club had a very limited budget, they offered her accommodation
instead of a salary. Gift was then two years old and he lived there with his mother
and younger brother until he left to play baseball in the States at the age of 18.
3 It was in this room that a strong family bond was formed. “The room was very
small – almost like a big cupboard in America, but it was home. We slept on a
mattress on the floor, but it didn’t matter to us. We were genuinely happy because
we had love and made everything fun,” Gift wrote in an article.
4 Gift grew up around the game and came to love it. He began playing baseball at
5 and at 10 was picked to play for the national side. The Randburg Mets Baseball
Club coach, Glen Gillman, says that he is fast and has strong feet and arms. He
can also read the game and position himself well in the field. Off the field, Gift is
likeable, humble and easy to speak to.
5 The Club raised money to send Gift to Europe for Major League Baseball (MLB)
Band it was at the MLB academy in 2008 that Gift impressed Pittsburgh scouts
and he was offered a contract. He quickly rose through the ranks of the US minor
leagues and had played more than 700 games by the time he joined the majors.
6 Gift admits that moving to America was a big adjustment. Keen to fit in, he
decided to go by the name Gift rather than Mpho, as it is easier for the Americans
to pronounce. These days he lives in a comfortable apartment in Pittsburgh
although he doesn’t spend much time there because he’s on the road most of
the time travelling all over the US and sometimes playing three or four games a
week.
7 Gift trains hard as he says that there are always people who also want to get to
the top, so he cannot relax and let that happen. The only regret Gift has, is that
his mother isn’t around to witness his success as she died in 2013.

8 Clearly Gift is living his childhood dream!

[Adapted from It’s a Home Run! by Kaizer Ngwenya, YOU Magazine, 18 May 2017]

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4 ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 (EC/NOVEMBER 2017)

1.1 Refer to paragraph 1.

1.1.1 Name the team that Gift plays for. (1)

1.1.2 In which overseas city is his team based? (1)

1.1.3 Name the South African province where Gift was born. (1)

1.1.4 Explain how Gift has made history. (2)

1.2 Refer to paragraph 2.

1.2.1 Choose the correct answer from the list below. Write ONLY the
question number and the letter. (e.g.1.2.1 C)

Gift grew up in Johannesburg and lived in the …

A Johannesburg Baseball Clubhouse.

B Randburg Mets Clubhouse.
C Randfontein Clubhouse.
D Randburg Clubhouse. (1)

1.2.2 State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Give a

REASON to support your answer.

Gift’s mother was not paid a salary. (2)

1.2.3 Find a word in the paragraph that shows that Gift plays baseball in
America. (1)

1.3 Refer to paragraph 3.

1.3.1 Match the words in COLUMN A with their meanings in the context of
the passage in COLUMN B. Write ONLY the question number and
the correct letter (e.g. 1.3.1 B).

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.3.1.1 bond A literary composition forming part
of a magazine

1.3.1.2 genuinely B binding agreement

1.3.1.3 article C uniting force

D really
(3 x 1) (3)

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(EC/NOVEMBER 2017) ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 5

1.4 Compare Gift’s living conditions when he was growing up in Johannesburg to

his present living conditions in the USA.
Use the table to help you.

South African home USA home

(2)

1.5 Refer to paragraph 4.

1.5.1 Choose suitable words from the list to complete the sentences below.

arrogant; modest; pleasant; talented; incompetent

Gift is a … (a) … person who is not proud but is … (b) … He is also a

… (c) … baseball player. (3)

1.6 Refer to paragraph 5.

1.6.1 What does the abbreviation MLB stand for? (1)

1.7 Refer to paragraph 7.

1.7.1 Gift ‘trains hard as he says that there are always people who also
want to get to the top, so he cannot relax and let that happen’.

Do you agree with him? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

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3 ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 (EC/NOVEMBER 2016)

SECTION A

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

Read the article that appeared in the Financial Mail and answer all the questions.

COLD CRADLE OF CRIME

1. The biggest problem in our fight against crime is not the abilities or inabilities of
police and justice, it is the neglect of thousands of children and the single
mothers who are struggling to raise them.

2. Though the police and courts are improving efficiency in the detection, arrest
and prosecution of criminals, the number of murder, rape, armed robbery and
serious assault in South Africa’s largest cities remains among the highest in the
world.

3. Although violent crimes are often committed by or on behalf of organized

criminals for money, most are impulsive, opportunistic acts by young misfits
who grow up in the broken pieces of a quickly urbanizing, dislocated society –
in short, a crime factory.

4. “The vast majority of violent crimes are interpersonal: young men killing young
men,” says the former director of the government’s National Crime Prevention
Strategy (NCPS), Bernie Fanaroff.

5. “We will reach a point where policing alone will not be able to address the
problem,” says the SA police service’s chief strategist, Andre Pruis.

6. The police have cracked down on the 145 most crime-prone police areas (out
of a total of 1 136 stations) in an effort to suppress violence. The police service
has also identified 100 police areas where most crimes against women and
children take place, with the idea of a special campaign to reduce these crimes.

7. “But the police and social services cannot do it alone,” he says. “We are just
the co-ordinators. We will need partnerships with the community organizations
in those areas.”

8. “About 80% of all murders are committed by friends, family or acquaintances of

the victims, says the police service’s chief statistician”, Chris de Kock. “You
can’t police against that.”

9. Poverty plays a role but it is not a driver of crime, say social workers. Poor
people are no more likely to turn to crime than rich people. But the poor have
more social stress and alcohol abuse and an increasing number of children
orphaned by Aids-related deaths.

10. SA courts sentence about 450 children to prison every month, according to the
National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO).
Arrests of offenders under 21 have increased by 27% in three years and are
expected to rise even more.

11. South Africa’s social crisis is worsened by rising numbers of parents dying from
Aids-related illnesses. United Nations research has found there are 660 000
Aids orphans in SA and this number is growing yearly.
[Adapted from: Viva English FAL, 2011]
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(EC/NOVEMBER 2016) ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 4

1.1 Choose the correct answer from the options given. Write ONLY the letter as
your answer.
The sound device used in the title ‘Cold cradle of crime’ is a …
A metaphor.
B alliteration.
C onomatopoeia.
D assonance. (1)
1.2 According to this article, what are the biggest reasons why the battle against
crime is failing? Mention TWO points. (2)
1.3 Name TWO of the crimes of which South Africa has the highest rate in the
world. (2)
1.4 The author states that most crimes are committed by young ‘misfits’ who
grow up in a dysfunctional society (paragraph 3). What does he call this
society? (1)
1.5 What does NCPS stand for? (1)
1.6 Identify the TWO major crimes occurring in the areas the police have
‘cracked down on’ and plan a special campaign for. (paragraph 6) (2)
1.7 Most of the murders are committed by people who are family or friends of the
victim, or know the victim.
State whether the statement is a FACT or OPINION. (1)
1.8 Choose the correct answer from the options given. Write down ONLY the
letter of your choice as the answer.
‘acquaintances of the victims’ (paragraph 8) means …
A relatives of the victims.
B people known by the victims
C the victim’s closest friends.
D school and class friends of the victim. (1)
1.9 Poverty is the main cause of crime.
1.9.1 State whether the statement above is TRUE or FALSE. (1)
1.9.2 Quote a sentence from the article to support your answer. (1)
1.10 List TWO factors poor people have to deal with, apart from poverty. (2)
1.11 Explain in your own words why so many children are orphans these days. (1)
1.12 Write down an example of an acronym from paragraph 10. (1)
1.13 Do you think that more young people commit crimes than before? Motivate
your answer. (1)
1.14 In your opinion, do you think that sentencing children who have committed a
crime, to prison, will help to reduce crime? Give a good reason for your
answer. (2)

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5 ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE P2 (EC/NOVEMBER 2016)

Read the article below and answer all the questions.

Khayelitsha gang violence flares up again

1. A partnership between police and taxi bosses in Khayelitsha to reduce

teenage gang violence failed to prevent two separate gang conflicts in the
township on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in numerous stabbings.

2. Parents and residents of Harare 33 and 34 Section cheered as about

100 teenagers, involved in the Vat-Slokos and the Madonsela gangs,
attacked each other with knives, pangas, sticks and stones.

3. The teenagers, mostly still dressed in their school uniforms, waged a running
battle through the streets for over two hours until police arrived, when they
scattered into surrounding streets.
[By: Nombulelo Damba, 19 June 2012, AllAfrica.com]

1.15 Study the headline. Choose a suitable word from those provided in brackets
below to complete the sentence.

[prejudice/bias/emotive language]

The writer of this article has used … in the headline. (1)

1.16 Which word from the headline tells us that gang violence happens often? (1)

1.17 Who wrote this article? (1)

1.18 Identify and name the TWO gangs involved in the violence. (2)

1.19 What about the teenagers tells us that they were school children? (1)

1.20 Quote FOUR CONSECUTIVE words from paragraph 3 that imply this
incident was like a war. (1)

1.21 Explain how this incident came to an end. (1)

1.22 Do you think it is acceptable that the police arrived at the scene only after
two hours? Give ONE reason for your answer. (2)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30

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(EC/NOVEMBER 2017) ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 3

SECTION A: READING AND VIEWING

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

Read the text below and answer the set questions.

HOW THE KNYSNA FIRES SHOWCASED THE POWER OF UBUNTU

I saw a lady wiping up the dignity she once had, a humble RDP house/shack with a
broom.

1 The last few days have been devastating for Knysna. It shook me to my core
and came completely unexpected. Extremely dangerous fires, fuelled by gale
force winds of up to 120 km/h brought by the #capestorm.

2 Between 500 and 600 hundred homes have been destroyed to the date this
article was written. It resulted in the death of seven people so far and
thousands of people had to evacuate.

3 On Wednesday, I was in Joburg with two friends who lived in Knysna,

throughout the day there was a lot of sadness and feelings of complete
helplessness, then the breakdown came. I witnessed my one friend watching
her family evacuate their home, over facetime. She cried uncontrollably and I
wasn’t quite sure what to do, but at that very moment it ripped my heart out.
This was before we boarded the plane back to Cape Town. During the flight,
I thought a bit …

4 From the very beginning of my life, it became very clear to me, that nothing
would mean anything if I did not live a life that is of use to others. I could not
understand how some people were being left completely homeless with
nothing, and yet I still had a house I could return to, where I could be safe. I
could not seem to wrap my head around that, but I did what being South African
required of me, and that was to embody the spirit of Ubuntu.

5 I immediately contacted my colleagues and we managed to buy some food for

the Knysna fire victims and got a car to go to Knysna with. Upon arrival, we
were shocked to see the state of despair the fires had left Knysna in. I have
visited Knysna before and I couldn’t understand how such a beautiful place
could look so hopeless. We immediately went into the main informal
settlement there and went to see how we could help.

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4 ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 (EC/NOVEMBER 2017)

6 I saw a lady wiping up the dignity she once had, a humble RDP house/shack
with a broom. Nothing but ashes were left, throughout the twin windows of
her soul I could see that she had no family, and now no house. I felt so
helpless, because all I could give her, was food. I wanted to build her a
house, give her clothes, I wanted to give her back her dignity. There were
so many more like this woman. We visited a donation centre, and there I
saw that there was still some good left in this world. Every five minutes a
vehicle would stop and drop off some food. It was amazing to see how much
people care, and how everyone came together regardless of race, to help
each other out.

7 This inspired me beyond measure, because you see we are all really on the
same path and the same journey. We want the best for South Africa and for
our children. We want dignity and we want to feel like we matter. I have never
before witnessed such compassion in South Africa like I did in Knysna. The
spirit of Ubuntu was truly present, because it’s true, I AM BECAUSE WE
ARE.

[Adapted from HUFFPOST, June 2017]

QUESTIONS

1.1 Choose the answer from those listed below that best describes the
meaning of ‘showcase’ as it was used in the context of the headline.

A A glass case for the display and protection of articles in shops

B An exhibit or display
C To exhibit or display
D To present as a special event (1)

1.2 To be shaken to the core means to be …

A extremely shocked.
B very surprised.
C extremely excited.
D thrilled about something. (1)

1.3 Refer to paragraph 2.

Explain the meaning of ‘evacuate’ in your own words. (1)

1.4 Refer to paragraph 3.

Is ‘ripped my heart out’ meant literally or figuratively? (1)

1.5 Refer to paragraph 3.

Explain IN YOUR OWN WORDS what upset the one friend very much. (2)

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(EC/NOVEMBER 2017) ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 5

1.6 Refer to paragraph 3.

State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Give a reason

for your answer by QUOTING from the passage.

The author of this article was so devastated that she had no plan to help
the victims in Knysna. (2)

1.7 Refer to paragraph 4.

“I could not seem to wrap my head around that, …”

Explain the meaning of the above sentence in the context of the passage. (2)

1.8 Refer to paragraph 6.

Explain the meaning of the following sentence in your own words:

“I saw a lady wiping up the dignity she once had …” (2)

1.9 Refer to paragraph 6.

Identify the figure of speech in:

“… through the twin windows of her soul …” (1)

1.10 Refer to paragraph 7.

Substantiate the use of the following words:

“… because you see we are all …” (2)

[15]

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6 ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 (EC/NOVEMBER 2017)

QUESTION 2: ADVERTISEMENT

Study the advertisement below and answer the set questions.

2.1 Identify the sound device used in the advertisement. (1)

2.2 Who is organising the event? (1)

2.3 What is the purpose of the event that is being advertised? Quote ONE word
from the advertisement to substantiate your answer. (2)

2.4 Write 23 in words. (1)

[5]

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(EC/NOVEMBER 2017) ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 7

QUESTION 3: CARTOON

[Source: CARTOONSTOCK.com]

3.1 How has the teacher been stereotyped? Mention TWO facts. (2)

3.2 What is the setting of this cartoon? (1)

3.3 Explain the irony in the teacher’s words. (2)

[5]

TOTAL SECTION A: 25

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