1

VREDENBURG HIGH SCHOOL

SUBJECT: English Home Language DATE: November 2022
GRADE: 8 TOTAL: 60
TASK: 10 – Controlled Test TIME: 1 ½ hours
EXAMINER: C. Smit
MODERATORS: J. Blommetjies, S. Dreyer & H. Coleman

ONLY THE BEST SATISFIES

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This paper consists of THREE SECTIONS:
SECTION A: QUESTION 1 – READING COMPREHENSION [20]
QUESTION 2 – CARTOON [10]
SECTION B: QUESTION 3 – SUMMARY [10]
SECTION C: QUESTION 4 – LANGUAGE STRUCTURES [20]
2. Answer ALL the questions and number them correctly.
3. Answer in your OWN WORDS, unless stated otherwise. Copying information exactly from
the text will be penalised.
4. Use full sentences, unless required otherwise.
5. Draw a margin on the right-hand side of the folio page and do not write in it.
6. Start each question on a new page.
7. Leave a line open between your answers.
8. Read each question carefully before you answer.
9. Write in a blue or black pen.
10. Marks will be deducted if instructions are ignored.
11. Good luck!
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SECTION A
QUESTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION
Read Text A below and answer the set questions.
TEXT A:
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet is a word of warning and hope

by Imogen Searra on 4 October 2020

1. “We need to rediscover how to be sustainable.”

2. Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary explores the world that was, the world that is
and the world that will be if we do not change our ways.

3. The opening scene takes us through a clearly abandoned dwelling, resembling a

wasteland of sorts. Sir David appears, explaining how this city, which was once teeming
with life, has become uninhabitable due to the Chernobyl explosion in 1986.

4. “The explosion was a result of bad planning, human error and mistakes,” Attenborough
explains. “It triggered an environmental catastrophe that had an impact across Europe.”
You quickly realise the grim metaphor he is trying to convey.

5. “Many people regard it as the most costly in the history of mankind,” the veteran
broadcaster continues.

6. “But Chernobyl was a single event. The true tragedy of our time is still unfolding across
the globe, barely noticeable from day to day.”

7. “I’m talking about the loss of the planet’s wild places, its biodiversity.” Cue the iconic
David Attenborough documentary imagery.

8. “Yet the way we humans live on Earth now is sending biodiversity into a decline.”

9. “This too is happening as a result of bad planning and human error. And it too will lead to
what we see here. A place in which we cannot live.”

10. The documentary is just under an hour and a half long and serves as Attenborough’s
account of how the natural world has diminished over his lifetime.

11. He reiterates that while the planet has been destroyed by humans, we are able to
change the planet’s grim fate.
 3

12. One of the most harrowing and shocking scenes of the documentary is the visual journey
of what the world will look like in the next 80 years, based on scientific predictions.

13. If that doesn’t change your perspective on how we treat the planet, very little else will.

14. The documentary is packed with facts, visual feasts of the natural world and sad, stark
contrasts. It is an absolute must-watch.

15. “This is not about saving our planet, it’s about saving ourselves. With or without us, the
natural world will rebuild.”

[370 words]

https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/david-attenborough-a-life-on-our-planet-is-a-word-of-
warning- and-hope/

Refer to Text A:
1.1 Name the publisher of this article. (1)

1.2 Refer to paragraph 1.

1.2.1 State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Quote TWO CONSECUTIVE
words to prove your answer.

A pimple can take up to half of the surface area of your face. (2)

1.2.2 According to the text, how do pimples influence teens emotionally? (1)

1.3 Refer to paragraph 2. Identify at which developmental stage pimples start to appear. (1)

1.4 Refer to paragraph 3.

1.4.1 Provide the figurative meaning of “to let the cat out of the bag”. (1)

1.4.2 Explain the meaning of the term “myths” in your own words. (1)

1.5 Refer to paragraph 4.

1.5.1 State two reasons why pimples should not be popped. (2)

1.5.2 Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence.

Write down the question number and the corresponding letter of your choice.
 4

A skin doctor is known as ______________.

A Dr. Pimple Popper.

B a dermatologist.
C a psychologist.
D a cosmetologist. (1)

1.6 Refer to paragraph 6. What is the intended tone of the phrase, “Is this for-real?”

Motivate your answer. (2)

1.7 Identify two foods people falsely believe cause acne. (2)

1.8 Refer to paragraph 9.

“...there’s not much you can do regarding your tiny volcanos.”

1.8.1 Name the figure of speech used. (1)

1.8.2 Explain what is being compared. (1)

1.8.3 Discuss the effectiveness of this comparison. (2)

1.9 Refer to the whole text. Does this article succeed in eliminating the negative connection
teens have regarding acne? Motivate your answer. (2)

[20]
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QUESTION 2: CARTOON

Study the cartoon (Text B) below and answer the set questions.
TEXT B:
FRAME 1 FRAME 2 FRAME 3

(The dog in the back of the line in frame 1 is Kenny and the dog in front of him is Will.)

Refer to Text B:

2.1 State why the dogs are waiting in line. (1)

2.2 Refer to the smallest dog in frame 1. State a visual clue that shows the dog is
nervous. (1)

2.3 In frame 2, Kenny asks, “Are we going on a ride?” Explain what stereotype is
referred to by this statement. (2)

2.4.1 Identify Kenny’s emotion in frame 2. Motivate your answer by referring to the visuals. (1)

2.4.2 Do you think Kenny would feel the same way if he knew what they were in line for?
Motivate your answer. (2)

2.5 State whether the following is true or false. Provide a reason for your answer.
Will enjoys going to the vet. (2)

[10]

TOTAL SECTION A: [30]

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SECTION B
QUESTION 3: SUMMARY
Read Text C, What can I do to prevent global warming?, below and follow the instructions.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Summarise the SEVEN things you can do to prevent global warming.
2. Number your points 3.1 to 3.7.
3. Do not use more than 80 words.
4. Write in FULL sentences using your OWN WORDS as far as possible.
5. Write your word count at the end of your summary.
6. Make use of the text and not your own knowledge.
TEXT C:
What can I do to prevent global warming?
Here are just a few ways you can make a difference.
Try to conserve energy in your everyday life. Making simple choices to save energy may help
avoid the serious consequences of global warming. For example: turning off the lights, taking short
showers or even turning off a computer when not in use.
Make a point of convincing the people around you to save energy. Now, you have to be careful
here because people don't like to be told what to do. Suggestions you can make include changing
to energy-saving lights, running appliances on energy saver mode, or asking parents not to leave
the car running needlessly when waiting to pick you up at school.
If it is safe to do so, walk or bike instead of having your parents drive you. This will help to save
fossil fuels and reduce pollution.
You could also start a conservation club at school to raise awareness. Get your fellow students
and teachers on board to have the school reduce energy consumption.
It takes energy to produce everything we buy so don’t forget that you can save energy by
recycling. You don’t always have to wear something new. Nor do you need to get rid of perfectly
good devices in order to have the latest model.
While conservation is important, you should also find and implement sources of energy that do not
pollute the environment.
Nobody knows exactly what will happen when it comes to global warming so keep learning. The
best thing you can do is get a good education so you can be a responsible citizen making good
decisions.
[268 words]
(Adapted from: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/ask-a-scientist-about-our-
environment/how- can-kids-help-prevent-global-warming)
TOTAL SECTION B: [10]
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SECTION C
QUESTION 4: LANGUAGE
Read Text D and E below, which have some deliberate errors, and answer the set questions.
TEXT D:
An excerpt from Arctic Tale
1. Springtime, when the ringer seals are plentiful, is prime hunting for polar bear’s. During 1
these months, polar bears fatten up for the summer when the pack ice disappears and
seals becomes much harder to catch.
2. The sun stays in the sky for more and more hours of the day, untill night disappears
altogether. 5
3. The sun never rises very high in the sky; however, it stays just above the horizon,
travelling in a great circle all the way around every 24 hours. Relative to the winter, the
Arctic summer is balmy. Temperatures climb above freezing, at times reaching above
50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
4. The sun heats the seawater, causing microscopic algae to bloom. With the algae 10
comes an explosion of life – jellyfish, shrimp, plankton – that feed on the plants. These
creatures in turn draw larger animals that have migrated north to join in the summer
feast – fish such as herring and salmon, birds such as the Arctic tern and the snowy
owl, bowhead whales, harbour porpoises, orcas. The ocean and the sky teem with life.
5. With the coming of summer the pack ice breaks up. With loud snaps and booms, cracks 15
appear in the surface of the ice.

(Adapted from: https://www.freespirit.com/files/original/complete-guide-service-learning-

climate- change-1.pdf)

Refer to Text D:
4.1 Complete the following statement by choosing the most correct answer from the (1)
options below. Write only the number and the letter of your choice.
The group of words underlined in paragraph 1 can be identified as a _________.
A. sentence
B. main clause
C. subordinate clause
D. phrase

4.2.1 Write the prefix for the word underlined in paragraph 2. (1)
 8

4.2.1 Add a suffix to this underlined word in order to form a noun instead of a verb. (1)

4.3 Identify the parts of speech of the following words underlined in paragraph 3. Write
only the number and the correct part of speech.
4.3.1 The (1)
4.3.2 rises (1)

4.4 Provide a synonym for ‘microscopic’ (paragraph 4). (1)

4.5 Identify and correct the language errors in the following sentences.

4.5.1 “Springtime, when the ringer seals are plentiful, is prime hunting for polar bear’s.” (1)

4.5.2 “During these months, polar bears fatten up for the summer when the pack ice (1)
disappears and seals becomes much harder to catch.”

4.5.3 “The sun stays in the sky for more and more hours of the day, untill night (1)
disappears altogether.”

4.6 State the function of the following punctuation marks:

4.6.1 semicolon (line 6) (1)

4.6.2 dashes (line 11) (1)

/11/

TEXT E
Climate Change Could Devastate Emperor Penguins, U.S. Officials Warn
1. Climate change threatens emperor penguins with extinction in much of their range, 1
federal wildlife officials said on Tuesday as they announced a proposal to protect them
under the Endangered Species Act.
2. These penguins live much of the year on freezing Antarctic sea ice. This ice is
disappearing or breaking apart because of the heat-trapping gases released by 5
humans’ use of fossil fuels. The penguins need the ice to breed, raise their young and
escape predators.
3. “The decisions policymakers make today and during the next few decades will
determine the fate of the emperor penguin,” Martha Williams, principal deputy director
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement. 10
4. If listed as threatened, the birds would join a couple dozen species that the federal
government considers threatened by climate change, including polar bears, two kinds
of seals and 20 coral varieties.
 9

Refer to Text E:
4.7 Give the degrees of comparison (comparative and superlative) for the following
words:

4.7.1 much (line 4) (1)

4.7.2 threatened (line 10) (1)

4.8 Change the following sentence to the future continuous tense: (2)
Climate change threatens emperor penguins with extinction in much of their range.

4.9 Rewrite the following sentence into indirect speech. Start with: Martha Williams (3)
said…
“The decisions policymakers make today and during the next few decades will
determine the fate of the emperor penguin,” said Martha Williams.

4.10 Provide the collective noun for the following words:

4.10.1 whales (1)
4.10.2 animals (1)

/9/

[20]

TOTAL SECTION C: [20]

GRAND TOTAL: [60]
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VREDENBURG HIGH SCHOOL

SUBJECT: English Home Language DATE: November 2022
GRADE: 8 TOTAL: 60
TASK: 10 – Controlled Test TIME: 1 ½ hours
EXAMINER: C. Smit
MODERATORS: J. Blommetjies, S. Dreyer & H. Coleman

ONLY THE BEST SATISFIES

MEMORANDUM
QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

1.1 Name the publisher of this article. (1)

Cosmopolitan

1.2 Refer to paragraph 1. (2)

1.2.1 State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Quote TWO
CONSECUTIVE words to prove your answer.
A pimple can take up to half of the surface area of your face.
False – “may appear”. (no mark awarded if answer only states True/False.)

1.2.1 According to the text, how do pimples affect teens emotionally? (1)
It lowers their self-esteem.

1.3 Refer to paragraph 2. Explain at which developmental stage pimples start to (1)
appear.
Puberty / Adolescence

1.4 Refer to paragraph 3. (1)

1.4.1 Provide the figurative meaning of “to let the cat out of the bag”.
To reveal a secret.

1.4.2 Explain the meaning of the term “myths” in your own words. (1)
A widely held but false belief or idea.

1.5 Refer to paragraph 4. (2)

1.5.1 State two reasons why pimples should not be popped.
Popping a pimple will push the germs further under the skin, which can cause
more redness and pain, or even turn into an infection. (Any TWO)
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1.5.2 Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence. (1)

Write down the question number and the corresponding letter of your choice.
A skin doctor is known as ______________.
A Dr. Pimple Popper.
B a dermatologist. 
C a psychologist.
D a cosmetologist.

1.6 Refer to paragraph 6. What is the intended tone of the phrase, “Is this for (2)
real?”
Motivate your answer.
Shock / Awestruck / Sceptical / Wonder 
The phrase shows that a person is questioning the truth about a statement. 

1.7 Identify two foods people falsely believe cause acne. (2)
Pizza  and chocolate 

1.8 Refer to paragraph 9. “...there’s not much you can do regarding your tiny (1)
1.8.1 volcanos.”
Name the figure of speech used.
Metaphor

1.8.2 Explain what is being compared. (1)

Pimples are compared to volcanoes.

1.8.3 Discuss the effectiveness of this comparison. (2)

Yes, just as volcanoes erupt so do pimples when popped.

1.9 Refer to the whole text. Does this article succeed in eliminating the negative (2)
connection teens have regarding acne? Motivate your answer.
Learner’s own opinion. Sample answer:
Yes, because the article explains that it is normal to have acne. It is a natural part of
growing and not something to be ashamed of.
OR
No, even though I know acne is caused by hormonal changes, I still feel
embarrassed by it.

[20]
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QUESTION 2: CARTOON
2.1 State why the dogs are waiting in line.
They are waiting to get rabies shots.  (1)

2.2 Refer to the smallest dog in frame 1. State a visual clue that shows the dogs is
nervous.
There are movement lines around the dog’s body which means he is shaking from
anxiety.  (1)

2.3 In frame 2, Kenny asks, “Are we going on a ride?” Explain what stereotype is
referred to by this statement.
The stereotype is that dogs love to take a drive with their heads out of the window.  (2)

2.4.1 Identify Kenny’s emotion in frame 2. Motivate your answer by referring to the
visuals.
He is happy/excited.  He has a big smile on his face.  (2)

2.4.2 Do you think Kenny would feel the same way if he knew what they were in line
for? Motivate your answer.
(Credit valid responses.)
Example: I do not think he would be excited anymore. Usually dogs are afraid of
going to the vet and getting shots.  (2)

2.5 State whether the following is true or false. Provide a reason for your answer.
Will enjoys going to the vet.
False, he says that Kenny’s heart will be broken if he finds out why they are there
which means he does not enjoy it. 
(Credit alternative reason if well-explained.) (2)
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TAXONOMY
QUESTION 1 1&2 3 4&5
1.1 1
1.2.1 2
1.2.2 1
1.3 1
1.4.1 1
1.4.2 1
1.5.1 2
1.5.2 1
1.6 2
1.7 2
1.8.1 1
1.8.2 1
1.8.3 2
1.9 2
TOTAL:20 8 8 4

QUESTION 2 1&2 3 4&5

2.1 1
2.2 1
2.3 2
2.4.1 2
2.4.2 2
2.5 2
TOTAL: 10 4 4 2
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QUESTION 3: SUMMARY
Quotations Own words
Try to conserve energy in your everyday life. 3.1 Live in a way that saves energy every
Making simple choices to save energy may help day. 
avoid the serious consequences of global
warming.
Make a point of convincing the people around 3.2 Gently, convince others to save
you to save energy. energy. 
If it is safe to do so, walk or bike instead of 3.3 Walk or ride a bike when possible. 
having your parents drive you. This will help to
save fossil fuels and reduce pollution.
You could also start a conservation club at 3.4 Create awareness at school by
school to raise awareness. Get your fellow starting a conservation club. 
students and teachers on board to have
the school reduce energy consumption.
It takes energy to produce everything we buy so 3.5 Recycle instead of buying everything
don’t forget that you can save energy by new. 
recycling. You don’t always have to wear
something new...
While conservation is important, you should also 3.6 Use sources of energy that do not
find and implement sources of energy that do not pollute the
pollute the environment. environment. 
Nobody knows exactly what will happen when 3.7 Study hard so that I/you can help
it comes to global warming so keep learning. find the solutions needed in the
The best thing you can do is get a good future. 
education so you can be a responsible citizen [61 words]
making good
decisions.
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The summary should be marked as follows:

• Mark allocation:
 7 marks for 7 points (1 mark per main point)
 3 marks for language
 Total marks: 10
• Distribution of language marks when candidate has not quoted verbatim:
 1-3 points correct: award 1 mark
 4-5 points correct: award 2 marks
 6-7 points correct: award 3 marks
• Distribution of Language marks when candidate has quoted verbatim:
 6-7 quotations: award no language mark
 4-5 quotations: award 1 language mark
 1-3 quotations: award 2 language marks

NOTE:
• Word Count:
 Markers are required to verify the number of words used.
 Do not deduct any marks if the candidate fails to indicate the number of words used, or if the
number of words used is indicated incorrectly.
 If the word limit is exceeded, read up to the last sentence above the stipulated limit and ignore
the rest of the summary.
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QUESTION 4

4.1 Complete the following statement by choosing the most correct answer from the (1)
options below. Write only the number and the letter of your choice.

The group of words underlined in paragraph 1 can be identified as a _________.

A. sentence
B. main clause
C. subordinate clause 
D. phrase

4.2.1 Write the prefix for the word underlined in paragraph 2. (1)
dis- 

4.2.1 Add a suffix to this underlined word in order to form a noun instead of a verb. (1)
Disappearance 

4.3 Identify the parts of speech of the following words underlined in paragraph 3.
Write only the number and the correct part of speech.
4.3.1 The – definite article  (1)
4.3.2 Rises – finite verb  (1)

4.4 Provide a synonym for ‘microscopic’ (paragraph 4). (1)

tiny/minute/miniscule 

4.5 Identify and correct the language errors in the following sentences.

4.5.1 “Springtime, when the ringer seals are plentiful, is prime hunting for polar (1)
bear’s.”  bears 

4.5.2 “During these months, polar bears fatten up for the summer when the pack (1)
ice disappears and seals becomes much harder to catch.”  become 

4.5.3 “The sun stays in the sky for more and more hours of the day, untill night (1)
disappears altogether.”  until 

4.6 State the function of the following punctuation marks:

4.6.1 semicolon (line 6) (1)

It separates two clauses. 

4.6.2 dashes (line 11) (1)

 17

It indicates extra information/parentheses. 

4.7 Give the degrees of comparison (comparative and superlative) for the
following words:

4.7.1 much (line 4) (1)

more, most 

4.7.2 threatened (line 10) (1)

more threatened, most threatened 

4.8 Change the following sentence to the future continuous tense: (2)
Climate change will be  threatening  emperor penguins with extinction in
much of their range.

4.9 Rewrite the following sentence into indirect speech. Start with: Martha (3)
Williams said…
“The decisions policymakers make today and during the next few decades
will determine the fate of the emperor penguin,” said Martha Williams.
Martha Williams said that the decisions policymakers made  that day  and
during the next few decades would  determine the fate of the emperor penguin.

4.10 Provide the collective noun for the following words:

4.10.1 pod/school/gam of whales  (1)
4.10.2 menagerie of animals  (1)

[20]

TOTAL SECTION C: [20]

GRAND TOTAL: [60]
 18

VREDENBURG HIGH SCHOOL

SUBJECT: English Home Language DATE: November 2022
GRADE: 8 TOTAL: 60
TASK: 10 – Controlled Test TIME: 1 ½ hours
EXAMINER: C. Smit
MODERATORS: J. Blommetjies, S. Dreyer & H. Coleman

ONLY THE BEST SATISFIES

NAME & SURNAME: __________________________________________________________

GRADE: 8 E __

QUESTION 1 QUESTION 2 QUESTION 3 QUESTION 4 TOTAL

_____ / 20 _____ / 10 _____ / 10 _____ / 20 _____ / 60

MODERATED: ________________________________ DATE: ______ / _____ / 2022

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VREDENBURG HIGH SCHOOL

SUBJECT: English Home Language DATE: November 2022
GRADE: 8 TOTAL: 60
TASK: 10 – Controlled Test TIME: 1 ½ hours
EXAMINER: C. Smit
MODERATORS: J. Blommetjies, S. Dreyer & H. Coleman

ONLY THE BEST SATISFIES

NAME & SURNAME: __________________________________________________________

GRADE: 8 E __

QUESTION 1 QUESTION 2 QUESTION 3 QUESTION 4 TOTAL

_____ / 20 _____ / 10 _____ / 10 _____ / 20 _____ / 60

MODERATED: ________________________________ DATE: ______ / _____ / 2022

19