THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY

EDUCATION 2006 
(Level 1)

LANGUAGE ARTS
PAPER 2

TIME: 90 MINUTES

Student’s Name ______________________________________________________________

School’s Name_______________________________________________________________

School’s ID

Student’s Number
 

NCSE LEVEL ONE

LANGUAGE ARTS 2006
PAPER II

TABLE QUESTION EXAMINER’S MARKER’S TOTAL

NUMBER NUMBER INITIALS INITIALS K I A MARK

SECTION
1

PASSAGE
A

PASSAGE
B

PASSAGE
C

  1
 

INSTRUCTIONS
Read the following carefully:
1.  This paper consists of two (2) sections.

SECTION I

2.  In Section I, there are twenty (20) multiple-choice questions. You are required to
answer all questions on the multiple-choice answer sheet provided.

3.  Complete the following information on the multiple-choice answer sheet using a 2
HB pencil only:
•  School’s Name
•  School’s ID
•  Student’s Name
•  Student’s Number
•  Date of Birth
•  Subject

4.  Record your answers for Section I on the multiple-choice answer sheet by shading
the selected letter completely.

5.  If an answer must be changed, completely erase the first answer, and then shade
your new answer.

6.  On the multiple-choice answer sheet DO NOT 

•  Write anything on the top and sides
•  Staple
•  Punch holes
•  Tear
•  Make stray marks

7. You should spend approximately 20 minutes on Section I.

SECTION II

8.  In Section II, there are three (3) comprehension passages followed by a number of
questions. Answer all questions in the spaces provided in this booklet.

9.  Write the following on the cover of your booklet:

•  Student’s Name
•  School’s Name
•  School’s ID
•  Student’s Number

10.  You should spend approximately 70 minutes on Section II.

11.  If you are finished before time is called, go back and check your work.

  2
 

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION 2006

LANGUAGE ARTS
PAPER II

SECTION I – MULTIPLE CHOICE

Time: 20 MINUTES

In this section there are 20 questions. For each question, select the correct answer and
shade the letter to the corresponding question number on the answer sheet provided.

Punctuation

In sentences 1-5, one of the underlined parts may contain no punctuation mark or the
wrong punctuation mark. Select the letter corresponding to the wrong punctuation
mark or omitted punctuation mark. If there is no error, choose D.

1. The mango tree sheds it’s leaves in the dry season. No error
A B C D

2. Ashley shouted, “I love the smell of fresh ocean breeze.” No error

A B C D

3. Marvin asked? “Which football team won the match last Saturday?” No error
A B C D

4. “Theres the racquet that I left on the court last evening!” exclaimed Judy. No error
A B C D

5. Johnnie ordered a slice of pizza; Sacha, pies. No error

A B C D

Spelling

In sentences 6-8, one of the underlined words may be spelt incorrectly. Select the letter
which corresponds to the incorrectly spelt word. If there is no error, choose D.

6. The senior students would frequently represent the school at competitions. No error
A B C D

7. The atlete became unconscious after dislocating his shoulder. No error

A B C D

8. Her only chore was to thoroughly vacume the carpet. No error

A B C D

  3
 

Concord /Syntax

In sentences 9-11, one of the underlined parts may contain a grammatical error. Select
the letter which corresponds to the error. If there is no error, choose D.

9. The leaves and branches was scattered over the roofs and lawns. No error
A B C D

10. Neither of the two cemeteries is suitable for burying my cousin. No error
A B C D

11. The cost of the tickets were too expensive for me. No error
A B C D

Vocabulary: Synonyms

In sentences 12-14, select the word similar in meaning to the one underlined.

12. The coach blew the whistle to commence the game.

A. stop
B. interrupt
C. begin
D. continue

13. A country should not squander its resources.

A.  waste
B.  sell
C.  ignore
D.  develop

14. When we reached the top of the mountain, we felt invincible.

A.  thirsty
B.  breathless
C.  excited
D.  unbeatable

  4
 

Vocabulary: Antonyms 

In sentences 15-17, select the word opposite in meaning to the one underlined.

15. We received a meagre amount of food and drink at the party.

A.  lavish
B.  scanty
C.  colourful
D.  sufficient

16. An irresistible odour wafted through the windows of the bakery.

A.  tempting
B.  bland
C.  fruity
D.  unpleasant

17. The indolent man went bankrupt in a short time.

A.  silly
B.  wasteful
C.  industrious
D.  wealthy

Parts of Speech

In sentences 18-20, underline the part of the sentence which may contain an error in use
of Parts of Speech. If  there is no error, choose D.

18. The lady who lost her keys gave a reward to the boy that found them. No error
A B C D

19. The boy has swam across the river to get the doctor’s assistance. No error
A B C D

20. Which of these two views comes closest to yours. No error

A B C D

  5
 

SECTION II
READING COMPREHENSION
This Section has three parts. Read the three parts (A, B and C) and
answer the questions in full sentences in the spaces provided.

A. ADVERTISEMENT

The Public Health advisory below was posted in the local newspapers.

Fever is a symptom of many illnesses such as infection by a virus, Dengue or

Yellow Fever.

The body temperature of a healthy person, measured by placing a thermometer in the mouth
or under the armpit, is 37 ˚C (98.6˚F). When the temperature is more than this, the person is
said to have a FEVER.
Signs associated with fever:
•  Chilly feeling
•  Flushed or warm feeling
•  Rise in body temperature along with shivering or shaking chills
•  Weakness and fatigue

How to treat fever:

The body temperature must be lowered. Here are some ways this can be done at home.
•  Bathe the person in cool water
•  Sponge the body with cool water
•  Do not rub down the person with alcohol
•  Do not use excess clothing or blankets
•  Use a fan
•  Drink lots of water and liquids

Ask your pharmacist about anti-fever medication and use these only as prescribed.

  6
 

1. What instrument is used to measure a person’s temperature? (1 mark)

2. When does a person have a fever? (2 marks)

3. What are two signs of fever? (2 marks)

4. Name two illnesses that can cause fever? (2 marks)

  7
 

5. What is the aim of treating a fever? (2 marks)

6. Give two reasons why medications should be used only as prescribed? (3 marks)

7. State two advantages of publishing an advisory on fever in the newspaper? (3 marks)

  8
 

th
B. COMIC STRIP- Calvin (Source: Trinidad Express, April 14  2005)
Read the comic strip carefully and answer the questions that follow.

1. Who is Calvin speaking to on the telephone? (1 mark)

2. Why do you think Calvin has chosen this person to get the information he needs?
(2 marks)

3. What information is Calvin seeking? (2 marks)

  9
 

4. What do you think Calvin ‘is up to’ by making this call? (2 marks)

5. Write the answer that you think Calvin was given to his question. (3 marks)

6. What is suggested by Calvin’s response, “HEY MOM, LISTEN TO THIS!” (3 marks)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

7. (i) Write a word or phrase that best describes Calvin. (1 mark)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

(ii) Give a reason for your answer. (1 mark)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

  10
 

C. COMPREHENSION PASSAGE

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

The Boat Trip

The evening grew upon us. I knew what was on everyone’s minds. Would the
return journey be safe at this late hour? The wind had picked up and everybody’s face
looked sad and worried. We all watched as the other little boats were tossed about by the
waves. The waves chased along the shoreline. There was still no sign of our boat. I kept
thinking of one thing. I did not see a single life jacket on board our vessel while on our 5 
way to the island. A chill ran down my spine. I felt as though I were drowning already.
Finally our boat approached.

The driver said, “Okay, all aboard! Sorry for the delay. Please hurry, as the waters
are very rough.” I thought to myself that this man had the audacity to tell us to hurry and
he was the one who arrived late. I looked at his face. There was nothing comforting there 10 
that could reassure me for the journey ahead.

I felt the anger of the sea as soon as I stepped on the boat. We started to move and
the tiny vessel swayed to the movement of the waves. My stomach immediately became
upset. It seemed to be in competition with the waves to see who could be more restless.
We reached the Bocas which was the roughest part of the sea. 15 

The waves came over the boat from the bow to the stern. There were screams as
people were thrown from their seats even though they grasped the railings tightly. The
waves were a lot stronger than we thought. The boat seemed to shudder beneath the weight
and force of the water. I felt my chest tightening up again and I gasped for breath. “My
God,” I thought, “would we make it?” 20 

Suddenly up ahead, I saw a jetty. I promised God a million things that I would
change just to make it these last few metres. The boat crawled haltingly towards the jetty. I
could not believe we had actually made it alive. I dragged my tired and water drenched body
up the steps, walked a few haltering steps and then collapsed on the ground.

(Source unknown)

  11
 

1. Why did the narrator fear the return trip? (2 marks)

2. What does the narrator mean by “I felt as though I were drowning already”? [Line 6]
(2 marks)

3. Why did the narrator think the boat driver was audacious? (2 marks)

4. (i) Which point of the journey was the worst? (1 mark)

4. (ii) State two reasons for this. (2 marks)

  12
 

5. Identify the figure of speech used in the following:

(i) “the anger of the sea” [Line 12] (1 mark)

(ii) why does the narrator describe the sea as angry? (1 mark)

6. Describe two ways in which the behaviour of the narrator is different from the behaviour
of the sea. (2 marks)

7. Why did the narrator collapse to the ground at the end of the trip? (2 marks)

END OF PAPER

  13