JUNE EXAMINATION

2023
GRADE 9
ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE
PAPER 1

MARKS: 70 TIME: 2 hours

This question paper consists of 12 pages, including the

cover page.

Name and Surname: _______________________________

English Teacher: ______________________________

For official use:

Mark Marker’s Moderated Moderator’s
signature Mark signature
Q 1.1 – 1.11

Q1.12 – 1.14

Q2

Q3

Q4

pg. 1 English Home Language Paper 1

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This question paper consists of FOUR sections:

SECTION A: Comprehension (25)

SECTION B: Visual Literacy (15)
SECTION C: Summary (10)
SECTION D: Language in context (20)

2. Read ALL the instructions carefully.

3. Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided.

4. Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.

5. Answer in your own words unless asked to quote.

6. DO not write in the column on the right-hand side as this is intended for the
recording of the marks.

7. Suggested time allocation:

SECTION A: 40 minutes
SECTION B: 20 minutes
SECTION C: 30 minutes
SECTION D: 30 minutes

8. Write neatly and legibly.

pg. 2 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION A: COMPREHENSION

QUESTION 1: LITERARY TEXT

Read TEXTS A and B below and answer the questions set.

What on Earth is load shedding?!

1. When I first arrived in Cape Town, it seemed as if all anybody could talk about was load
shedding. My housemates talked about it while making weekend plans, faculty talked
about it in the halls when discussing exams, you can download the “UCT load shedding
app”, and signs like this (–>) are posted up all over campus detailing how one can
prepare for and survive load shedding. I wandered around in a daze for the first week
thinking to myself, “What on earth is load shedding?!”

2. Well, according to the Internet, load shedding is: “the action to reduce the load on
something, especially the interruption of an electricity supply to avoid excessive load on
the generating plant.” The City of Cape Town explains it this way: “Load shedding is a
measure of last resort to prevent the collapse of the power system country-wide. When
there is insufficient power station capacity to supply the demand (load) from all the
customers, the electricity system becomes unbalanced, which can cause it to trip out
country-wide (a blackout), and which could take days to restore.”

3. Essentially, load shedding is scheduled blackouts, set up on a rotating sector system (I

live in sector 15). To relieve stress on the electricity generators, the City of Cape Town
has designed a load shedding system, especially needed in the winter months, to protect
the generators from becoming overloaded. They explain: “By switching off parts of the
network in a planned and controlled manner, the system remains stable throughout the
day, and the impact is spread over a wider base of customers. Load shedding schedules
are drawn up in advance to describe the plan for switching off parts of the network in
sequence during the days that load shedding is necessary.”

4. What does this mean? It means the power goes out. A lot. In my first two weeks, the
power went out in my house and stayed out for several hours at least five times (could be
more, but I was gone). Everyone seemed prepared for this but me. On one of my first
nights (before I knew what load shedding was), I was walking back from dinner and I
thought to myself, “Man, it’s so dark! This is a busy street, why are all the street lights
off?” When I saw that even the stoplight was out, I realized it must be a power outage. Up
ahead, a trio of people crossed the street wearing headlamp flashlights. Clearly, they
knew the power was scheduled to be out! I had to figure out what was going on. That’s
when I finally got serious and looked up load shedding.

TEXT A

pg. 3 English Home Language Paper 1

 5. Power also goes out on campus. This week, I was in the office working when the power
went out. No power means no Internet, which means no productivity for me. To make
things worse, before the power went out, I had been working really hard and I kept
putting off using the bathroom. So, I had to feel my way into the pitch-black bathroom,
using the dinky light on the end of my keychain to see what I was doing. And of course,
when there is no light, you immediately assume the worst and think that someone is
lurking outside the stall waiting to stab you. Not. Fun.

6. I’m learning that the load shedding system is quite controversial among South Africans.
For example, it was in the news recently that the process of determining whom exactly
goes without power, and for how long, is a subject of constant debate between the
primary power company, Eskom, and the government (see the cartoon below). In May,
the City was pleading with Eskom to have areas including Manenberg, Ottery, and
Hanover Park exempt from load shedding due to increases in gang violence. One
mayoral committee member explained, “The metro police gang and drug task team has
indicated that working under circumstances with severe gang violence is challenging
enough as it is, but that the loss of street lights at night during serious gang violence
makes it virtually impossible to work”.

7. People blame the city, they blame the ANC (African National Congress), they blame
Africa, they blame the world, but no matter who is to blame, load shedding is going to
continue to be a permanent fixture of my experiences here in Cape Town. No matter what
I am doing–working in the office, making dinner, commuting home – for the rest of my
time here I better get used to people saying, “You better hurry, power’s about to go out.”
Also, I should really buy some candles…

TEXT B

Source: emilymaiden.wordpress.com

pg. 4 English Home Language Paper 1

QUESTIONS: TEXT A

1.1 In your opinion what is the effect of the use of the punctuation marks (?!) in the (2)
title.

1.2 Using your own words, state why everyone is talking about loadshedding. (2)

1.3 State what you think the sign in line 4 ( -> ) means. (1)

1.4 Quote no more than 5 consecutive words from paragraph 1 to indicate that the
author did not know what to think or do. (1)

1.5 State why the following is FALSE: Cape Town immediately implements
loadshedding whenever they suspect it might be necessary. (1)

1.6 Account for the fact that loadshedding becomes more necessary during winter as
stated in paragraph 3. (2)

1.7 Explain why people can plan their electricity use ahead of time. (1)

1.8 “Man, it’s so dark! This is a busy street, why are all the street lights off?”
(Paragraph 4) Identify and discuss the tone of voice the author uses here. (2)

pg. 5 English Home Language Paper 1

1.9 Discuss the effect of the punctuation used at the end of paragraph 5: “Not. Fun.” (2)

1.10 Would it be fair to exempt some areas of loadshedding? Discuss your opinion. (2)

1.11 Can you offer a solution to the country’s loadshedding problem? Discuss why you
can or cannot. (3)

Total questions 1.1 – 1.11:

19

QUESTIONS: TEXT B

1.12 State what the cartoonist is illustrating and what he is suggesting with the
illustration. (2)

1.13 Why is it ironic that the man in the cartoon is using this method to determine the
loadshedding schedules? (2)

1.14 Discuss what the facial expression of the blindfolded man shows the reader and (2)
what the cartoonist is suggesting about loadshedding with this.

Total questions 1.12 – 1.14:

6
TOTAL QUESTION 1
25

pg. 6 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION B: VISUAL LITERACY

QUESTION 2.1: ANALYSING AN ADVERTISEMENT

Study the advertisement (TEXT C) below and answer the set questions.

TEXT C

Questions on Text C:

2.1.1 What is the purpose of this advertisement? (1)

2.1.2 Who is the advertiser? (1)

2.1.3 How can people contact the advertiser? (1)

2.1.4 Comment on the effect of the different fonts used in the advertisement. (2)

2.1.5 Comment on the suitability of the image used in the logo at number 1. (2)

Total for question 2.1:

7

pg. 7 English Home Language Paper 1

QUESTION 2.2: ANALYSING A CARTOON

Study the cartoon (TEXT D) below and answer the set questions.

TEXT D

Questions on Text C:

2.2.1 Describe what you think the message of the cartoon is. (3)

2.2.2 Discuss what the general mood is amongst the people in the cartoon with (3)
reference to the body language AND facial expressions of the people in the
cartoon.

2.2.3 Do you find the cartoon humorous? Explain why or why not. (2)

Total for question 2.2:

8
TOTAL QUESTION 2
15

pg. 8 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION C: SUMMARY

QUESTION 3: SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Summarise, in your own words, the article below: COPING WITH LOADSHEDDING

NOTE: 1. Your summary should include SEVEN points and NOT exceed 90 words.
2. You must write a fluent paragraph.
3. You are NOT required to include a title for the summary.
4. Indicate your word count at the end of your summary.
5. Use your own words as far as possible.
TEXT E

COPING WITH LOADSHEDDING

Just when you thought the days of load shedding might be over – or at least few and far
between – they’re back like a bad habit you just can’t shake. Since the first days of rolling
blackouts saw the country covered in darkness and chaos in 2008, we’ve learnt ways to
cope: try time your travel according to the schedule; have a skottel and stainless steel
kettle/pot with a gas cylinder at home in case you need to heat something up; don’t
overstock your refrigerator (you don’t want all that food to go to waste – especially in
summer) and, when all else fails, make the most of the lack of power to bond as a family
over candlelit games or a braai.

It’s not so much the fact that there are power outages, but rather the suddenness with which
they happen. The powers that be (pun intended!) must surely know ahead of time if there
are to be large-scale disruptions to the grid but they persist in denying existing problems, or
leave it to the last minute to let us know.

But, it’s a given and you are bound to sit in darkness for a week – just in time for the
heatwave that’s about to sweep over parts of the country (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North
West and Limpopo – we feel your pain). If ever we needed a sense of humour, this is it. And
with that in mind, here’s our tongue-in-cheek guide to getting through the dark times with
your sanity intact.

Win the “Mom of the Year” award for letting the family eat all the ice cream in the freezer –
it’s going to melt, after all. Who needs spoons or bowls? With the dishwasher not working
anyway, why not eat the cereal straight from the box?

Homework, schmomework. This shouldn’t become a regular thing, but why not forego it for
one night in favour of some uninterrupted family time?

A positive attitude and good sense of humour will go a long way in getting you through the
frustration of yet another unscheduled and unwelcome “load rotation”.

TOTAL SECTION C: 10

pg. 9 English Home Language Paper 1

 Planning

Final Draft

Total mark allocation:

10

pg. 10 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION D: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS
QUESTION 4: UNDERSTANDING OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MEDIA
Study the following text (TEXT F) and answer the set questions.

TEXT F

Eishkom: loadshedding behind the scenes

Eskom worker / TikTok

(4.2) With loadshedding been a daily (4.3) nightmare, have you ever wondered who is
responsible for turning the electricity on and of? Heres’ what some users thinks:
"Well whomever it is, they don't waste a second.",
"Must be an automated system", and
(4.4) "I assume it's a team of people."
Another user (4.5) saw a humorous side to this video and replied with the following (4.6):
So how does loadshedding actually work?
(4.7) According to (a) News24, implementing (b) these (c) power outages in South Africa
requires the following steps:
(4.8) Eskom announces loadshedding.
Municipalities will then split their areas into blocks, assigning each group a fixed period of
power outage.
Each block is assigned a unique code that (4.9) (specify / specifies) their loadshedding
pattern.
Municipal officials then make their tables public, letting people know when their lights will go
out.
(4.10) These databases are periodically updated to ensure that no single block is
(4.11) permanently assigned to a single loadshedding slot.

Questions on TEXT F:

4.1 Write down the TWO words making up the word ‘Eishkom’ in the title and state
why the author uses them like this. (2)

4.2 Identify and correct the THREE deliberate errors in lines 1 and 2: “With (3)
loadshedding been … some users thinks”

4.3 What is the author trying to say by using the word “nightmare”? (1)

pg. 11 English Home Language Paper 1

4.4 Rewrite the sentence (“I assume that it’s a team of people”) starting as follows: (3)
The woman said that …

4.5 Use the homonym of the underlined word (“saw”) in a sentence of your own to
make the meaning clear. (1)

4.6 Name the punctuation mark (:) and state what its function is. (2)

4.7 Identify the parts of speech of the following words as they are used in context of
the sentence:
(a) News24 - (1)

(b) these - (1)

(c) power - (1)

4.8 State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Motivate your
answer.
This sentence is an example of a clause: ‘Eskom announces
loadshedding.’ (1)

4.9 Choose the correct option: Each block is assigned a unique code that (4.9)
(specify / specifies) their loadshedding pattern. (1)

4.10 Find a word in the sentence (“These databases are … single loadshedding (1)
slot”) that means the same as regularly.

4.11 Refer to the word ‘permanently’

4.11.1 Identify the suffix in the word. (1)

4.11.2 Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence:

The function of the suffix is to make the word an (adjective/adverb) (1)

Total for Question 4:

20

pg. 12 English Home Language Paper 1

 GRAND TOTAL: 70
MEMORANDUM

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 In your opinion what is the effect of the use of the punctuation marks (?!) on the (2)
title.
The question mark indicates that the writer asks what loadshedding is ✔,
but the exclamation mark shows that he/she is puzzled/surprised by this. ✔
It emphasizes that he/she has never heard of it before.
1.2 Using your own words, state why everyone is talking about loadshedding. (2)
Loadshedding is a reality and if you want to make any plans you need to
consider when it will be loadshedding or when you will or won’t have power.
✔ People have to plan their lives around loadshedding. ✔
1.3 State what you think the sign in line 4 ( -> ) means. (1)
It means ‘no electricity’ ✔
1.4 Quote no more than 5 consecutive words from paragraph 1 to indicate that the
author did not know what to think or do. (1)
‘wandered around in a daze’ ✔
1.5 State why the following is FALSE:
Cape Town immediately implements loadshedding whenever they suspect it might
be necessary. (1)
Cape Town only implements loadshedding as a last resort, when there is no
alternative to the problem. ✔
1.6 Account for the fact that loadshedding becomes more necessary during winter as
stated in paragraph 3. (2)
During winter more electricity is used to generate heat ✔, since there is very
little sunshine. ✔
1.7 Explain why people are able to plan their electricity use ahead of time. (1)
Loadshedding schedules are drawn up to warn people to plan their
electricity usage. ✔
1.8 “Man, it’s so dark! This is a busy street, why are all the street lights off?”
(Paragraph 4) Identify and discuss the tone of voice the author uses here. (2)
The author is puzzled/confused/uncertain/determined/scared/nervous ✔ to
find out why the power is off and everyone is left in a precarious/unsafe
situation. ✔
1.9 Discuss the effect of the punctuation used at the end of paragraph 5:
“Not. Fun.” (2)
Placing the words separately as if each is a sentence on its own,
emphasises the feeling of the author ✔, namely that she didn’t find the
situation funny/was scared. ✔
1.10 Would it be fair to exempt some areas of loadshedding? Discuss your opinion. (2)
Open-ended. Credit a relevant answer with 1 or 2 marks depending on the
relevance of the answer.
e.g. Yes, hospitals should not have loadshedding in order to take proper
care of the sick and keep equipment which could be life-saving, running.

pg. 13 English Home Language Paper 1

1.11 Can you offer a solution to the country’s loadshedding problem? Discuss why you
can or cannot. (3)
Open-ended. Credit a relevant, full answer with 3, 2 or 1 mark(s).
e.g. I cannot offer a solution since I have no say in the governing of the
country. Maybe when I am of voting age, I will be able to make a difference
by putting legislation into place which will reform the running of the
company.
No marks should be awarded to yes/no but to the
justification thereof.
Total questions 1.1 – 1.11: 19
1.12 State what the cartoonist is illustrating and what this suggests. (3)
On one side the employees select the times ✔ and on the other side the
areas due to have loadshedding. ✔ The cartoonist illustrates the complaint
people have about the random selection of areas to be affected by
loadshedding. ✔
1.13 Why is it ironic that the man in the cartoon is using this method to determine the
loadshedding schedules? (2)
It is ironic because they are randomly selecting ✓which area gets
loadshedding and at what time YET they say it is a schedule which implies
some sort of organised selection. ✔
1.14 Discuss what the facial expression of the blindfolded man shows the reader and (2)
what the cartoonist is suggesting about loadshedding with this.
The blindfolded man is having fun/enjoying himself. He is smiling with his
tongue stuck out (in concentration) as he is playing a game of darts to
determine the areas to experience loadshedding. ✔ This suggests
loadshedding/the allocation/shedule is not taken as seriously as it should be
Total questions 1.12 – 1.14: 6

TOTAL QUESTION 1 25

pg. 14 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION B:
QUESTION 2

2.1.1 What is the purpose of this advertisement? (1)

It is to alert the public about the cable theft/vandalism of the electricity
supply in the country. ✔
2.1.2 Who is the advertiser? (1)
Eskom ✔
2.1.3 How can people contact the advertiser? (1)
Via telephone (0800 112 722) ✔
2.1.4 Comment on the effect of the different fonts used in the advertisement. (2)
The different fonts make the advertisement more interesting ✔ since
certain words in larger or different font draw attention. ✔
2.1.5 Comment on the suitability of the image used in the logo at number 1. (2)
The image used in the logo is very suitable since it shows to hands
holding “our future” ✔It shows that we need totake care of our future etc✔
Total for question 2.1: 7

2.2.1 Describe what you think the message of the cartoon is. (3)
The cartoon describes what life might be like should the country move
to Stage 8 loadshedding. ✔ People will live a primitive life/like cavemen
✔ without the luxury of electronic devices. ✔
2.2.2 Discuss what the general mood is amongst the people in the cartoon with (3)
reference to the body language AND facial expressions of the people in the
cartoon.
People appear to be resigned to their fate since they are neither smiling
nor unhappy. ✔ The folded arms and concentration ✔ of those who try
to read or carve something supports the idea that people are used to
this by now. ✔
2.2.3 Do you find the cartoon humorous? Explain why or why not. (2)
Open-ended. NO marks are awarded for ‘YES’ or ‘NO’
Award 1 or 2 marks based on the relevance and quality of the response.
e.g. No, I do not find it humorous since it shows how primitive and
uncomfortable our lives will become if loadshedding continues. ✔✔
Total for question 2.2: 8

TOTAL QUESTION 2 15

pg. 15 English Home Language Paper 1

SECTION C

QUESTION 3

7 marks for correctly identifying 7 main points. (1 mark per point)

3 marks for language: 6 – 7 points correctly identified = 3

4 – 5 points correctly identified = 2

1 – 3 points correctly identified = 1

Exceeding word limit: only 5 words over the limit should be accepted. After 5 words extra, the rest
of the summary should be ignored.

Quoting verbatim: If own words used throughout: -0 If very little quoting: -0

If some quoting: -1 If quoted throughout: -2

Wrong format (point form instead of paragraph): mark regularly. -1 for format

FROM PASSAGE OWN WORDS

1 Since the first days of rolling blackouts
saw the country covered in darkness and
chaos in 2008, we’ve learnt ways to
cope:
2 But, it’s a given and you are bound to sit
in darkness for a week – just in time for
the heatwave that’s about to sweep over
parts of the country (Eastern Cape,
Gauteng, North West and Limpopo – we
feel your pain).
1. Since loadshedding started, people
adapted to cope with it/make plans
2. The fact remains that there will be
outages which might, especially during
the heat, cause problems and
discomfort.
3. We need to be prepared for the
suddenness that it can occur

3 If ever we needed a sense of humour, 4. A sense of humour might help us to

this is it. And with that in mind, here’s our
tongue-in-cheek guide to getting through
cope with the situation.
the dark times with your sanity intact.

4 Win the “Mom of the Year” award for
letting the family eat all the ice cream in
the freezer – it’s going to melt, after all.
5. Mothers will be very popular if they
allow the family to consume all the
ice-cream before they go bad. / We
need to change our eating habits.

5 Who needs spoons or bowls? With the 6. Save on dishwashing by allowing

dishwasher not working anyway, why not
eat the cereal straight from the box?
children to eat from the box./ change
our general habits

6 Homework, schmomework. This 7. Homework in the dark could be

shouldn’t become a regular thing, but
why not forego it for one night in favour of
swapped for spending time with family.
some uninterrupted family time?

7 A positive attitude and good sense of 8. These ideas might keep you positive in
humour will go a long way in getting you
through the frustration of yet another
order to cope with loadshedding.

pg. 16 English Home Language Paper 1

 unscheduled and unwelcome “load
rotation”.

TOTAL QUESTION 3: 10

SECTION D

QUESTION 4

4.1 Write down the TWO words making up the word ‘Eishkom’ in the title and state
why the author uses them like this. (2)
(Eish & Eskom) ✔ Eish – an expression of suprize/puzzlement/annoyance
caused by Eskom’s loadshedding. ✔
4.2 Identify and correct the THREE deliberate errors in lines 1 and 2. (3)
been – being ✔
of – off ✔
heres’ – here’s ✔
thinks – think ✔
(any 3 of the above)
4.3 What is the author trying to say by using the underlined word? (1)
That it is a terrible experience. ✔
4.4 Rewrite the sentence starting as follows: The woman said that … (3)
The woman said that she ✔ assumed ✔ it was ✔ a team of people.
4.5 Use the homonym of the underlined word in a sentence of your own to make
the meaning clear. (1)
Credit any relevant sentence using the word ‘saw’ (a tool for cutting
wood). e.g. I have a red saw in the shed. ✔
4.6 Identify the punctuation mark (:) and state what its function is. (2)
Colon. ✔ It indicates that an explanation/further information will follow. ✔
4.7 Identify the parts of speech of the following words:
(a) News24 – proper noun ✔ (1)

(b) these – article ✔ (1)

(c) power – adjective ✔ (1)

4.8 State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Motivate your
answer.
This sentence is an example of a clause: ‘Eskom announces loadshedding.’ (1)
It is a phrase. ✔
4.9 Choose the correct option.
Each block is assigned a unique code that (4.9) (specify / specifies) their
loadshedding pattern. (1)
Specifies ✔
4.10 Find a word in the sentence that means the same as regularly. (1)
Periodically ✔
4.11 Refer to the word ‘permanently’
4.11.1 Identify the suffix in the word. (1)
-ly ✔
4.11.2 Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence:

pg. 17 English Home Language Paper 1

 The function of the suffix is to make the word an (adjective/adverb) (1)
Adverb ✔
Total for Question 4:

QUESTION 1 LOW MIDDLE HIGH

1.1 (2)
1.2 (2)
1.3 (1)
1.4 (1)
1.5 (1)
1.6 (2)
1.7 (1)
1.8 (2)
1.9 (2)
1.10 (2)
1.11 (3)
1.12 (3)
1.13 (1)
1.14 (2)
TOTAL 25 11 5 9

QUESTION 2 LOW MIDDLE HIGH

2.1.1 (1)
2.1.2 (1)
2.1.3 (1)
2.1.4 (2)
2.1.5 (2)
2.2.1 (3)
2.2.2 (3)
2.2.3 (2)
TOTAL 15 3 7 5

QUESTION 2 LOW MIDDLE HIGH

4.1 (1) (1)
4.2 (2)
4.3 (1)
4.4 (3)
4.5 (2)
4.6 (2)
4.7 (3)
4.8 (1)
4.9 (1)
4.10 (1)
4.11.1 (1)
4.11.2 (1)
TOTAL 20 12 8 0

pg. 18 English Home Language Paper 1

 TOTAL 60 26 20 14

+ SUMMARY (10)

pg. 19 English Home Language Paper 1