STARLETS ACADEMY PORTHARCOURT

MOCK EXAMINATION 2022/2023 SESSION.

SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE

CLASS: GRADE 12 DURATION: 3½ HOURS

SECTION A: PAPER 1

CONTINUOUS WRITING

Answer one question from this section. All questions carry equal marks. Your
answer should not be less than 450 words.

1. Your sister wants to marry a man from another ethnic group against your
mother’s wishes. Write a letter to your mother giving at least three reasons
why she should accept your sister’s decision.

2. The rising incidence of road traffic accidents nowadays is alarming. In an

article for publication in an international magazine, discuss at least three
factors responsible for this and suggest ways of dealing with the problem.

3. There has been public outcry against the escalating prices of foodstuffs in
your area. Write a letter to your representative in the House of Assembly,
stating the causes of the increase and suggesting ways of improving the
situation.

4. Your school’s Literary and Debating Society has organised a debate on

the topic; “The Television is Doing More Harm Than Good to Our Youths”.
Write your contribution for or against the topic.

5. Write a story which ends with; “Had I Known, I wouldn’t have believed
him”
20 Marks

COMPREHENSION
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it
The great white shark is at the top of the marine food chain. In the shark family, it
is the king, it will eat anything, even other sharks. But as it gets older, bigger and
slower, it develops a preference for seals, penguins and carrion, especially dead
whales.
In locating their food, most sharks use all their senses, including excellent vision.
Their sense of smell is incredible and their ears are aided by pressure sensitive
cells along each of their body. Nothing escapes this eavesdropping system,
which is attuned to vibrations in the water. Sharks also have sixth sense which
enables them to detect the weak electrical fields emanating from the beating
heart of the swimming muscles of a potential prey.
The white’s shark most fearsome assets are its huge head, it’s black eyes, and it’s
razor-sharp, serrated teeth. The circulatory system of the white shark is different
from that of most other sharks. Its blood temperature is about three to five
degrees Celsius above water temperature; this speeds up digestion and adds to
its strength and endurance.
It is known that the white shark spits out its wounded prey after an initial,
powerful bite. Then it waits for the victim to die before eating it. Why does it use
bite-and-spit strategy? Experts speculate that this is because of its eyes. Unlike
other sharks, the white shark has no eyelid-like membrane to protect its eyes;
rather’ it rotates them in their sockets when a collision is imminent. At the
moment of impact. The eye is left exposed, perhaps to the flaying claws of a
seal. Therefore, for the white shark, a quick mortal strike and release is common
behaviour.
The public image of sharks has been greatly coloured by the novel jaws which
was turned into a popular movie. Overnight the white shark became evil
incarnate. However, it is not a demon craving human flesh. The smell of blood
does not drive it into a feeding frenzy as it does certain other sharks.
Nevertheless, it is a dangerous animal that should be treated with caution and
respect.
1. How do sharks use their sixth sense?
2. In what significant way is the circulatory system of the white shark different
from that of other sharks?
3. What, according to the passage, is the probable reason why the white
shark waits for its victim to die before eating it?
4a what is the writer’s attitude to the white shark?
b quote an expression from the passage to support your answer
 5.”At the moment of impact”…
a. What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the
passage?
b. What is its function?
6. “However, it is not a demon craving human flesh”
What figure of speech is contained in this expression?
What is the meaning of the expression?
7.For each of the following words, find another word which means the same
and which can replace it as it is used in the passage;
a. preference d. speculate
b. incredible e. mortal
c. emanating f. coloured

15 MARKS

SUMMARY
You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it
Scientists have made spectacular advances in genetic engineering in the last
fifty years. The benefits of this generic revolution to mankind are immense and
almost limitless. In the field of Medicine, many of the diseases that have hitherto
proved incurable can now be eradicated using genetic engineering. It is now
possible to identify the specific gene responsible for any given disease and
replace the diseased gene with a healthy one. This new technology can now
be used to cure such serious disease as diabetes, sickle-cell anaemia and
cancer. Genetics (specialists in genetic science) claim that there are several
other medical benefits that can be derived from this new science. They assert
that by increasing the neurons in the brain, we could slow down the ageing
process.
Scientists are now on the threshold of being able to redesign the human body to
make it function more efficiently. This interesting aspect of preventive medicine
involves the intervention of the doctor to ensure that the foetus contains no
diseased gene that can develop into a disease later on. Moreover, scientists
can now build or develop organs for transplant surgery. Patients who need heart
or kidney transplants no longer have to wait endlessly for donors or be worried
that the donated organs would be rejected by their body’s immune system.
Perhaps, the greatest benefits of the genetic revolution are in the areas of crop
and livestock production. Cloning, or the creation of a new plant or animal from
the genetic information carried in one cell, has already been done with plants
and animals. The result is the production of grains that yield their own fertilizer or
can be grown in factories without sunshine and soil. Already in the United States
of America, genetically modified (GM) potatoes, apples etc. are on sale in
supermarkets. The main difference between these GM products and their
conventionally produced counterparts is that the former are usually bigger and
have a longer shelf-life than the latter. Consequently, most shoppers would
rather go for the GM products, other things being equal. GM livestock are
usually a good bargain. Imagine being offered a chicken the size of a turkey or
a sheep almost as big as a cow! If the price and the taste are comparable, the
housewife would naturally prefer the GM breed, just as we now prefer the so-
called “Agric” fowls to our smaller, local breed.
There are, however, serious potential dangers. The greatest risk is the escape-by
accident or by design-of harmful microbes from the laboratory into a world that
has no defences against them. Some scientists have speculated that the HIV
virus nay gave originated from such an accidental escape. The world has not
forgotten the case of Adolf Hitler who, in furtherance of his project of creating
“a superior race”, abused scientific knowledge and plunged the world into
World War II. For this reason, many governments have been cautious, or even
reluctant, to give the genetics the necessary approval to implement the results
of their researches. There is no guarantee that man can be trusted not to use
this newfound “power” for destructive ends.
1. In four sentences, one for each, summarise four benefits of genetic
engineering to man.
2. In two sentences, one for each, state two dangers inherent in genetic
engineering.

15 MARKS
SECTION B: PAPER 2
In each of the following sentences, there is one word or group of words
underlined. From the lists of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the
one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of
words that will correctly fill the gap in the sentence.
1. The workers expected Management to be _____ rather than indifferent to
their welfare.
A. different from B. interested in C. opposed to D. careful of
2. Words spoken in the heat of an argument could offend rather than ___
A. Pacify B. amuse C. inspire D. irritate
3. Although they have declared the student a suspect, he may turn out to be
_____
A. culpable B. innocent C. safe D. ignorant
4. Some outspoken social critics live a ______ family.
A. reserved B. happy C. boisterous D. serious
5. While the Manager was prudent in his expenditure, his deputy was _____
A. Miserly B. careful C. thoughtful D. extravagant
6. The cultured and the _____ are known by their conduct
A. barbaric B. ignorant C. clean D. lazy
7. Many Africans now live in abject poverty instead of enjoying the __ of their
countries.
A. Comfort B. greatness C. possessions D. affluence
8. Tunde seldom asks questions in class and was _____ very careful when he did.
A. Hardly B. sometimes C. often D. never
9. The young are often too impetuous, but they become more ____ with age.
A. Circumspect B. ardent C. compassionate D. proficient
10. Instead of alleviating his discomfort, the drug seemed to _______ it.
A. Incite B. aggravate C. animate D. impel

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretation is given.

Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each
sentence.
11. Jumai’s life was in danger, but now he has turned the corner. This means
that Jumai
A. Has given up hope of recovery B. has worsened her situation
C.Is recovering D. has died
12. When I went on leave, I asked Mr. Bamson to hold the forte. This means that
I asked him to
A. defend me B. act in my absence C. protect my position D. be
strong in my absence
13. It is unwise for politicians to make off-hand statements to journalists. This
means that politicians
A. should be sure of whatever they say B. should not make any statements
to journalists C. would be wise not to speak to journalists D. should
insist on their interviews being recorded
14. The military leader blazed the trail by handing over power to civilians. This
means that the leader
A. resigned from the army B. was against the army C. supported
civilian ideals D. set an example
15. Life is about “give and take”. This means that
A. life is about gifts B. life gives and takes C. any gift should be
accepted D. people should be willing to compromise

In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against
each number in the list below each passage, five options are offered in columns
lettered A-E. Fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the options
In our __16____system, the earth and other the other planets ___17___ around
the sun. the sun is only one of many stars in our ____18___, which is only one of
many stars-systems stretching out into the _____19___ of space. The light and
heat of a star probably result from atomic __20____; this would occur if atoms of
hydrogen gas joined to form helium gas with the loss of some amount of _21____.
Man has now begun to explore such secrets.
Powerful _22__, such as the American Apollo series, have broken free of the
earth’s __23_____ of gravity and facilitated unmanned space exploration as far
as our neighbourhood planets. Since the early 1960’s, manned flights have also
been __24___ out of earth’s protective atmosphere.
Astronauts have had to overcome the effects of __25____ and many other
problems. On the American moon-lights, each ___26___ consisted of a service
module which held power supplies, a command module in which the astronauts
slept and worked and a (n) __27__ module which ferried two men to the moon
surface.
Several __28___ earth satellites have also been orbited to assist weather
forecasting by photographing ___29_ phenomena such as cloud movements.
Other satellites have improved telecommunications by receiving radio signals
from one continent and ____30__ them to another.

A B C D E
Global universal celestial solar meteoric
Twirl revolve ascend bend circulate
Horizon eternity galaxy paradise sphere
Infinity continuity immortality perpetuity divinity
Germination union condensation solidification fusion
Bulkiness stuff reality essence mass
Rockets hovercrafts airships comets aeroplanes
Sweep expanse field scope enclosure
Driven launched hurled catapulted flung
Lightness buoyancy levity weightlessness slackness
Helicopter glider spacecraft transport flying
Lunar heavenly planetary stellar astrological
Spurious artificial imitation substitute unnatural
Chemical oceanographic geological meteorological topographical
Telephoning telegraphing taking posting transmitting

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose
the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or group of words as
it is used in the sentence.
31. The preacher put us to sleep with his tedious sermon.
A. tiring B. tired C. tiresome D. tireless
32. The teacher emphasized that he wanted neatness and legibility in all written
work.
A. said B. implied C. stressed D. expressed
33. We all like him but his wife is odious
A. hated B. most unpleasant C. poetic D. smelling
34. The team has become indomitable quite recently.
A. unconquerable B. disobedient C. Incorrigible D. unruly
35. The woman said that her interview with the governor was off the record
A. not taped B. not written on government record books C. not
intended for publications D. written elsewhere other than in government record.

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of
words that best completes each of the following sentences

36. Let us keep ____ the plans we made earlier

A. away B. to C. off D. on
37. The Commissioner for Education with his secretary ______ expected
yesterday.
A. are B. was C. were D. is
38. If I ________ your father, I would call the police
A. have been B. am C. will be D. were
39. The jury gave _____ verdict.
A. it’s B. its C. our D. their
40. The Principal has already summoned all the ______ on the matter
A. heads of departments B. heads of department C. head of
department D. head of departments

40 MARKS
SECTION C: PAPER 3
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant
sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
41. pain A. coup B. report C. corps D. receipt
42. ten A. depot B. listen C. attack D. Christmas
43. path A. there B. smooth C. warmth D. soothe
44. baker A. debt B. lamb C. plumber D. humble
45. marks A. exist B. exhaust C. axe D. masque

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel
sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
46. bark A. mass B. ant C. pass D. ward
47. best A. regal B. Leopard C. Legal D. saying
48. sit A. creature B. colleague C. wanted D. police
49. rear A. swear B. fear C. pear D. heir
50. story A. drought B. spot C. fought D. through

From the words lettered A-D, choose the word that has the correct stress with the
given word.
51. comedian
A. CO- me-dian B. co-ME-dian C. co-me-DIAN D. CO-ME-dian
52. entertainment
A. EN-ter-tain-ment B. en-TER-tain-ment C. en-ter-TAIN-ment D. en-ter-tain-
MENT
53. Management
A. MA-nage-ment B. ma-NAGE-ment C.ma-nage-MENT D. MAN-
age-ment
54. responsibility
A. res-PON-si-bi-li-ty B. RES-pon-si-bi-li-ty C. res-pon-si-BI-li-ty D. res-
pon-si-bi-l=LI-ty
55. experimentation
A. EXPE-ri-men-ta-tion B. ex-pe-ri-men-TA-tion C. ex-pe-RI-men-ta-tion D. ex-
pe-ri-MEN-ta-tion

From the words lettered A-D, choose the word that contains the sound
represented by the phonetic symbol.
56. /з: / A. source B. court C. journey D. fourth
57. / ^/ A. mountain B. country C. bottle D. sofa
58. / ∂ / A. enact B. ebb C. above D. surname
59. / t∫ / A. pressure B. nature C. attention D. passion
60. / ∫ / A. watcher B. torture C. question D. tension

20 MARKS
TOTAL: 110 MARKS