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this booldct with your nnswcr sheet. Failure to

TEST CODE 01218G JI. 0

do so mn)' result !u tllsqunllficntron.

FORM 'I'P 2020007 JANUARY2020

C A R I B B E AN E X AMINATI O N S C OUNCIL

CARI BBEAN SECONDARY E DUCATION CERTIFICA T E®

EXAMINATION

ENGLISH A

Paper 01 - General Proficiency

1 hour 30 mi11utes

( 03 JAJ."'WARY 2020 (IJ.m.) )

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

I. This tesl consists of 60 items. You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer them.
2. In addition to this test booklet, you should lmve nn answer sheet.
3. Do not be concerned that the answer sheet provides spaces for more answers than there are items
in this test.
4. Each item in this test has four suggested answers lettered (A), (B), (C), (D). Read each item you
are about to answer and decide which choice is best.
5. On your answer sheet, find the number which con·esponds to yam item and shade the space having
the same letter as the answer you have chosen. Look at the sample item below.
Sample Item
Choose the word or set of words that BEST completes each sentence.
Someone who is suffering from chicken pox needs to be isolated as the disease is -----
fulmp!e Answer
(A) lasting
(B) serious
(C) contagious
(D) destructive

The best answer to this item is "contagious", so (C) has been shaded.

6. If you want to change your answer, erase it completely before you fill in your new choice.
7. When you arc told to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and ns cmefully as you can. If you
cannot answer an item, go on to the next one. You may 1etmn to that item later.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

Copyright© 20 I 9 Caribbean Examinations Council

All 1 ights reserved.
 - 2 -

Items1-5

Jn�trnction�: Ench sentence has either one or two words missing. Choose from the fom· options
the w01·d or pail' of wo1•ds which BEST completes the meaning of the sentence. Mark your
choice on the answer sheet.

1. Justice must be seen to be done, for . . ..... . .. treatment can cause great .•.•. .•. •.

(A) unfair . . . . . . . • . . 1esentment

(B) pronounced . . . . . . • . . .anger
(C) unlawful . . • . . . . . . . surprise
(D) unrewmdcd bitterness
. . . . . . . . • .

2. An attack on someone when that pe1son is most vulnerable may be ... . . . . . . . but is always

(A) inappropriate .......... thoughtful

(B) iewruded ..... .. . . .satisfying
(C) destrnctive distressing
. • . . . . . . . .

(D) effective unkind

. . . . • . • • . .

3. Her criticism was constructive and honest, with no . . . . • . . . • . whatsoever.

(A) malice
(B) candour
(C) coherence
(D) dilectness

4. Thejournalists were impressed by the . . • . . . . . . . of the statesman whose speeches had a profound
. • . . . . . . • . on nil who heard them.

(A) eloquence effect

. . . . . . . . . .

(B) presence .....•.•.. result

(C) emotion . . . . . . . .. . sensation
\
(D) appearance react'10n
. • . . . . . . . .

5. The1e are many who would try to . . •... . . . •your efforts because of theirjealousy.

(A) assist
(B) affect
(C) thwart
(D) encomagc
 -3 -

Items 6-10

lnstrnctions: Select the option A, B, C or D that BEST describes EACH of tile sentences and
mark your choice on the answer sheet.

(A) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.

(B) The sentence contains clichcs or misused metapho1s.
(C) The sentence is inco1rect grammatically or faulty in diction.
(D) The sentence is too wordy, that is, 1epetitive or contains redundancies.

6. Its not absolutely neccssnry for it to be done today.

7. Traffic bottlenecks must be ironed out if we a1e to p1event giant traffic congestion.

fl. The decorations chosen for the venue complimentecl the theme ofthc gatheting.

9. To clarify the situation, I will w1 ile a new sel of guidelines.

10. He advanced a step or two to meet his attacker who suddenly became alarmed and 1etreated back
four or five paces.
 � ..
I '

-4-

. ..
Item� 11-15

Instructiom: S ome of the following sentences nrc unacceptable because ofinn11prop1iatc grnnumu;
idiom or vocabulary. Some sentences m·e acceptable as they stand. No sentence contains more
than one inapproptiate element.

Select the ONE underlined imrt that is inappropriate an cl choose the conesponding lette1; A, B,
C. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D.

11. The team ™not inno mood to continue the game and went off the field. No Errm
(A) (B) (C) {D)

12. Had theynot been forewarned, they migl1t havejoined the queue, not k nowing that gas was not on sale
w 00 �

at the station. No Error

(D)

13 . One of the admirable characteristics of the young .ili that theyare not easily s eat e d. No Eu or
(A) (B) (C) (D)

14. As John listened to the lesson beingtaught. he began to loose interest. NoError
(A) (B) (C) (D) ;,
,. .

15. The p10blem with the students .iJi that !hey nnive late, giy§ no excuse, and are rude when
(A) (B)

§P.Oken to. No Error

(C) (D)

I•
 - 5 -

Items 16-20

In�trnctions: Each sentence in this section has ONE underlin ed word or phmsc. Choose
from the fou1· sug ges ted answers the word which is closest to OPPOSITE in meaning to the
underlined word.

16. She paid meticulous attention to her work as 19. Aftet tlw story was published in the
she attached the beads to the costume. newspaper his colleagues osttacized him.

(A) scant (A) accepted

(B) careful (B) discussed
(C) detailed (C) unde1stood
(D) cautious (D) recognized

17. The managerdecided to inform the staffabout 20. The finn was forced to� some worke1s
all complaints received from customers. in order to continue operating.

(A) iequests {A) demote

(B) demands (B) employ
(C) suggestions (C) dismiss
(D) compliments (D) promote

18. They lived in a large, sprawling, dilapidated

house.

(A) remote
(B) historic
(C) well-kept
(D) unfinished
 - 6-
Items 21-25
Jnsfructions: Each sentence in this section is followed by four sentences A, B, C and D.
the one NEAREST IN MEANING to the original sentence.
21. The Europeans who were not well offwere
those who ca me to the West Indies in sea1ch
of wealth.
(A) Unemployment at home caused
Europeans to come to the West
Indies to seek their fo1tune.
(B) Europeans settled in the West
Indies because they were told that
they would become richer.
(C) Financial difficulties at home mnde
Europeans who came to the West
Indies decide to settle tllere.
(D) Europeans who came to the West
Indies to seek their fo1 tunes were
the ones who we1e not wealthy.
22. John still wanted to many Mary even though
she had lost all her money.
(A) John agi eed to mauy Maiy although
she had lost all her money.
(B) Mary's money did not matter to
John who still wanted to mairy
her.
(C) The loss of all Mary's money did
not affect John's wish to marry
her.
(D) John intended to marry Mary even
if she wet e to lose all her money
23. Tqe news shocked me so much that I almost
forgot what I wanted to say.
(A) The news was so shocking that l
could not move.
(B) I nearly didn't speak again aftet the
shock of the news.
(C) I was so shocked by the news that
r could hardly speak.
(D) I could ha1dly remember my
message after such shocking
news.
Choose
24. If students' efo
f rts are rewarded they would
be encouraged to work harder.
(A) Students must be encouraged to
work hard.
(B) If students work harde1, they will
be praised for their effort.
(C) When students are praised for their
efforts, they excel.
(D) Students w h o s e efforts a r e
compensated generally work
better.
25. No right thinking person who has lived
in the countty will fail to undetstand my
disgust at noise.
(A) Every tight thinking person will
understand my disgust at noise
in the country.
(B) Noise in the country is as disgusting
to me as it is to all right thinking
people.
(C) My disgust at noise will be
understood by any 1 ight thinking
person who has lived in the
country.
(D) It is inconceivable that a right
thinking person in the country
could fail to understand my
disgust at noise.
 -8-

Items 26-31

Instructions: Rend the following poem carefully and then ansWcl' Items 26-31 on the basis of
what is stated ol' impliecl.

Beat That Light

I think the hmses must be laughing,

Kicking up their heels and chaffing,
Watching fi om their green abode
The things that d1 ove them off the rnad,
5 Whinnying in soft derision
At b1eakdowll, blowout and collision,
Neighing, as they JOam the piairies,
Motorists' obituaries.

Read the epitaphs1 on Monday

1o Of drivc1s various and Sunday;
Beep the horn and howl the klaxon2
For Hebrew, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon;
Howling klaxon, beeping horn,
The funeral diige on Monday morn,
15 Usher out the unlucky drivers
Without convincin g the survivo1s
Here's a curve and here's a truck,
Take a chance, and trnst to luck,
The next one's practically standing still.

1epitaph - a short piece ofwriting or poem about a dead pen;on

2klaxon- a type of loud hornfonnerly used on motor vehicles

26. Why does the poet feel the horses are 27. What are "the things" suggested in lino 4?
laughing (line 1 )?
(A) Vehicles
(A) He hears them laughing. (B) Accidents
(B) Tl1e prairie is all thoirs to roam. (C) Explosions
(C) They arc tteatcd well by thcil (D) Tiaffic jams
owners.
(D) They were replaced with something
which causes harm.
 I ,.

-9-

·r.
28. Which of the following words suggests the 30. What is the poet's tone in Jines 17-1 B?
drivers' destiny?
(A) Sarcastic
(A) Whinnying (line 5) (B) Persuasive
(B) Breakdown (line 6) (C) Indifferent
(C) Obituaries (line 8) (D) Enthusiastic
(D) Howling (line 13)

31. The poet is recommending that drivets driye

29. According to the poet, what days seemed
to be most prone to fatalities? (A) slowly
(B) quickly
(A) Mondays (C) carefully
(B) Sundays (D) recklessly
(C) Festivals
(D) Public holidays

r
 - 10 -

Items 32-41

Instructions: Rend the following cic.trnct carefully aml then answer Items 32-41 011 the bnsls of
what is stated or implied.

The moment Alddck stepped outside, Carnival hit him. And his henrt grew big, and he felt
a softness flow over him, and on the screet, the steelband and masquerade1s were assembling. The
months of practising and sewing and painting and building were flowing together in the stillness
ofthe morning undc1 the eyes ofwornen and child1en who had awakened from sleep and dressed
5 hurriedly to come out and watch thei!' band, to see their people, to admi1e them and cheer them
and to accompany them, to tramp the pavement, while the masquetaders occupied the street, as a
sort ofguard, right into Port-of-Spain.

It hit him, the red and black and gold and green, the colours and the feathers and the satin,
and the people's faces with that look in their eyes, and the smell ofcologne and face powder, nnd
JO the smell ofg1ease and the look of wonder on the cbildron's faces, and the little fellnrs with sailor
cops on; and what revc!'cnce nnd what awe as they alone in the whole world had the real eyes to
sec the real thing, to sec he1'0es, to see giants, to see gods.

And watching, fascinated by it all, as if he were seeing with the boys' eyes, Aldrick felt a
tallness and a pride, felt his hair rise on his head. And full ofbrimming with furious tears, Aldl'ick
15 felt again the fierce love and hope that he had doubted in himself, felt again a sense of mission:
felt that yes, there was a place here for him, that the1e was something to say yes to, and people
before whom and on whose behalfhe could dance the drngon. With a strong, piercing scream, ho
stepped into the street, his chains rattling, his arms outflung, his head lolling, in a slow th1eatening
dance of the Beast, so that the people of the Hill turned to him, recognizing him, said "Yes! Yes!
20 That is Dragon!"

Adapledfi·om Earl Lovelace, The Dragon Can't Dance.

Longman Gro11p Ltcl, 1979, pp. J 35-137.

32. The words "J1it him" (lines 1 and 8) are 33. "And his heart gl'ew big" (line t) means
used to emphasize the impact of that Aldrick

(A) the excitement of carnival (A) wanted to c1y

(B) objects being thrown nt persons (B) felt greut pride
(C) collisions taking place on the streets (C) felt quite angry
(D) the noise and the smells ofcarnival (D) wanted to join a band
 - 11 -

34. Lines 2 and 3, (The months of ... in the 38. The reaction of the people to Aldrick's
stillness), suggest that preparations for dance was one of
carnival entail a great deal of
(A) laughter and feat·
(A} waste (B) arrogance and smprise
(B) tension (C) recognition and approval
(C) hard work (D) uncertainty and suspicion
(D) excitement

39. The last sentence of the ex.tract (lines

35. The repetition of "and" in line 3 of the 17-20) gives the impression that A!drick's
extract is intended to show dance is intended to be

(A) the specific activities involved in (A) cheerful

costume making (B) amusing
(B) how impo11anteach of the activities (C) surprising
is to the band (D) frightening
(C) the continuous nature of the
activities involved in preparing
(D) the boring nature of the man y 40. In describing carnival, the w1iter makes
activities before carnival itself use of the senses. Which of the following

senses is NOT used in the extract?

36. Lines 4 and 5, (women and children ... (A) Taste

d1essed huiriedly), suggest that (B) Sight
(C) Smell
(A) time was passing quickly (D) Hearing
{B) no one wanted to miss the spectacle
(C) the people had overslept that
morning 41. The MOST suitable title for the extract is
(D) people did not have much clothing
to pulon {A) The Weak Drngon
(B) The Dragon's Heart
(C) The Decline of C arnival
37. "What reverence and what awe" (line I 1) (D) Carnival in Port·of-Spain
reveals that the spectators were
\
(A) captivated
(B) astonished
(C) bewildered
(D) apprehensive
 Items 42-49

Jnqt111ctions: Rend the followillg pnssngc carefully nud then answer Items 42-49 on the bnsis of
wl1at is stnted 01· implied.

Land and air and water are filled with living things, but apart from mankind, they scarcely
ever change, or, if they do, it is over vast periods of time. Ferns grow end fish swim just as
they did long before man walked upon the ca1th. The industrious ants continue their routine of
self-preservation and self-pe1petuation RS they did when the dinosnuis ruled. But man, in his
5 comparatively brief histo1y, has transformed both the world and himself. His specific quality is
ptuposeful change through thought: he is man, the thinker.

The human b1ain wo1ks like the heart, ceaselessly pulsing, day and night, fiom childhood
to old age. That man thinks all the time is a familiar idea; but it is n less familiar concept that
all human history might be best understood as a process of learning. It was by learning that we
10 ceased to be animals and made ourselves into men. Far back in the warm jungles, somehow, cell
by cell and reflex by 1eflex, the wonderful human brain was formed, and with it our two other
miraculous human powers: our fantastically intricate speech and our ingenious, adaptable hands.

The earliest tools were scarcely m01e than lumps of stone, with a. few comers chipped
offto fit the hands roughly; but gradually, century by century, better stones me selected, and they
15 me chipped and smoothed and rounded and sharpened until they are not only efficient but a!most
handsome. It is impossible to look at those stone tools, and to imagine their make1s, without
feeling pity, admiration and affection for our clevc1-, industrious ancestors, and without 1 enewing
our reverence for the growth of the human mind.

After the stone tools came the conttol of fire, the skilful, almost magical, transformation of
20 lumps of earth into hard potte1·y and dmable metal, the creation of the wheel. Equally wonderful,
perhaps mote wonderful, was the invention or development of plants. Almost everything we
consume, except animal food, is patt of a plant, carefully bred from selected stock: wheat, sugar,
fruits, tobacco, hemp, cotton. Some inteJligent man or woman found each plant grnwing wild in
the jungle, tasted or tested it, and by patient experiment discovered how to rear and improve it.

25 This was one of the real beginnings of civilization. In that slow, patient process, men
impioved the plants, and the plants improved men. Men ceased to live at random; they settled
down, and grew together. Cultivated fields made men invent rules and observe seasons; the1efo1e
Jaws wet'e devised, the calendar was established, and astronomy became a science. B y such
and other growth, we moved from primitive animalism, through primitive human savagery, to
30 civilization.

Source: U11k11ow11
 - 13 -

42. The writer's use of the phrase "as they 46. One quality of our tool making ancestors,
did when the dinosau1s 1uled" (line 4 ) is identified by the w1 itedn paragraph 3 (lines
intended to 13-18), is that they were

(A) indicate the time which has passed (A) 1efleclive

(B) compare the ants with the dinosaurs (B) handsome
{C) express concern over the ants• (C) hardworking
actions unimaginative
(D)
(D) remind the reader ofthe process of
evolution
47. The writer's intention in lines 13-18 is to
43. The pu1pose of paragraph 1 (lines 1-6) is
(A) acknowledge the skill of mnn
to
(B) trace the development of tools
(C) unde1score the slow process of
{A) show bow man has transformed the
change
world and himself
(D) show the relationship between
(B) compare the development of man
with that of other living things efficiency and beauty
(C) give examples of the living things
found on land, in the air and in
water 48. ln paraglaphs 4 and 5 (lines 19-30), the
(D) trace the histo1y ofcivilization from author links the actual beginnings of
earliest times to the beginning of civilization with the
man ;
(A) cultivation of plants
(B) discovery of the stars
44. In lines 7-8, the writer's comparison (C) establishment of the calendar
between the human brain and the heart (D) observation ofseasonal change
serves to

(A) diaw attention to the fact that the 49. According to the passage, in what 01der did
brain never stops working the following accomplishments take place?
(B) stress the fact that it is the brain
which separates animals from I. Refining of slone tools
man 11. Transformation of earth into
(C) indicate that both 01gans B1e cmcial pottc1y
to the working ofthe human body III. C ommand of the clement offire
(D) •point out that because these organs IV. Perfection of plant life
are similar their importance is
forgotten I, IV, Ill, II
(A)
(B) I, OT, II, IV
(C) Ill, JI, IV, I
45. Which of the following is NOTmcntioned
(D) IV, JI, Ill, I
by the write1 as a source ofman's remarkable
powe1s?

(A) Man's reflexes

(B) The human brain
(C) Man's capacity for speech
(D) The dexterity of the human hands
 - 14 -

Item� 50-54

Instrnctions: Read the following e:\-1.ract carefully ancl then answer Items 50-54 on the basis of
what is stated or implied.

Celestial is not just for tourists; many from neighbouring islands find themselves hopping over
to Celestial during 11 long weekend for a quick and enjoyable escape. That is because people
know that on this tiny isle there is so much to see, so much to to do and so much to offer.

All the leisme time you have durlngyourstay can be spent so many different ways. Maybe you
5 would p1efer to spend your holiday sleeping-in late into the afternoons, awaking to be served a
scLUmptious b1eakfast in bed, lounging around the pools or beaches, basking in the wa1m sun,
souvenir shopping or mingling with the locals and acquainting yomselfwith a new and fascinating
culture. With so many different things to do on the island, yom choices are endless.

There a1e so many engaging ways to experience the pleasing sights, sounds and scenery of this
10 island paradise. Sightseeing, though, is by far one ofthe most fun and dynamic wnys ofleaining
about nll that Celestial has to offer.

A nice alternative to the typical travel itine1a1y, with scheduled times for specific activities, is to
do what comes natmally here and take it slow, stop as you go, pull over at lookout points and 1est
stops for an eat and a dlink, while chatting and admiring some ext11101dinary places of interest.

15 The most developecl areas of Celestial are 1 elatively modern, with nume1ous tt endy hotels. A few
resorts and scatte1ed, modest guestbouses can be found, in addition to the international airport.

Along the Caribbe11n coast the1e is a seemingly infinite sl1etch of white sandy beaches, which
are a favourite with tourists. Bliss Town is the vibrant and scenic capital and po1t that is the hub
of all the island's activities.

Adaptedfiom "Top Tourist Towns".

The Guai·dian. 22 A11gZ1st 2006, p. 61.

so. What is the writer's MAIN purpose? 51. According to the extract, Celestial i s
located
(A ) To state the location of Celestial
(B) To encourage tourists to visit {A) in the capital
Celestia! (B) in Bliss Town
(C) To compare the various att1actions (C) in the Caribbean
in Celestial (D) near the coastline
(D) To describe the important features
of Celestial

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

01218010/J/C�EC 2020
 - 15 -

52. The iepelition of the words "so much" and 54. A ccording to the extract, visitors to
"so many" serves to Celestial may stay at all of the following
EXCEPT
(A) minimize the variety of attractions
in Celestial (A) hotels
(B) highlight the writer's lack of words (B) resorts
to describe C elestial {C) rest stops
(C) summarize the list of activities (D) guesthouses
fron} which visitms can select
(D) convey the writer's excitement
about the variety of things to do

53. Which of the following phrases suggests

the variety ofexpe1 ience s Celestial offers,
as p1esented by the writel'?

(A) "your choices me endless" (line 8)

(B) "engaging ways" (line 9)
(C) "nice alte1 native" (line 12)
(0) "what comes natu1ally" ( !me 13)
 - 16-

Items55-60

Jmtl'nctions: Read the f oll owin g advc1·tiseme11t cni·c fully and then answer Items 55-60 on the
basis of whnt is stntcd or iinplied.

A Teenagers across the Caribbean are all talldng about it A

'-....,�/
c c
N ACNE BE GONE! e
N
E \ I Tested E
#1
product Dcrm !�loglsls
•

B / B
E on the
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murlcct
*

G
0
N
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/ ......
*

G
0
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E
I I \ E

Do you want to clear all unsightly blemishes? ti

*
Do you want your confidence back?
•
Do you want a date for g raduation? ..
p You can do all these things with p
R ® n
0 ACNE BE GONE! 0
D D
u Now available in stores near you at this special u
c introductory price of c
T T
• � •

I � I
N $9.99 N
{while stocks last) ..
T T
H H
E It really works! E
*
Tiike the CHOCOLATE TEST! ..
w You can eat anything you want and not break out with w
0 0
R ACNE BE GONE!
® R
L L
D Side effects include swelling nnd rashes. Consult your doctor. D

55. One FACT contained in the advertisement 56. To whom is this product MAINLY targeted?
is
(A) Ambitious people
(A) the price of the product (B) People who sufe f r with acne
(B) expe1 t approval ofAcne Be Gone! (C) Girls who want dates for graduation
(C) that sources cvcrywhe1 e arc selling (D) People who lack confidence
the product becnuse of their appearance
(D) tho product's p o p ularity and
effectiveness
 - 17-

..•
57. Which ofthe following techniques are used 59. What might be the purpose of the size of
to persuade in this advertisement? the font used to describe the side effects?

I. Showing of the container (A) It suggests thnt the side efef cts are
II . Pinnncial enticement minor.

III. Appeal to fears and doshes (B) It hides possible consequences of

using the product.
(A) I and II only (C) It misdirects the 1cader and lends
(B) I and. III only to erroneous conclusions about
(C) II and III only acne.
(D) I, JI and III (D) It demonslrntes that the problems
ate minor in comparison to the
benefits.
58. A language device used in the advertisement
to persuade is
60. The words "while stocks last" under the
(A) pa1adox checked price MOST likely would have
(B) metaphor the effect of
(C) hyperbole
(D) rhetorical questions (A) enticing the customer to save
money
(B) pe1suading the reader to buy the
product quickly
(C) prompting Caribbean people to go
in search of the product
(D) fooling the prospective buyer into
thinking he/she needs the p1oduct )

END OF TEST

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, CIIECK YOUR WORK ON TIDS TEST.