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Name: __________________________ ( ) Class/Band: ________

WOODLANDS SECONDARY SCHOOL

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2021

Sec Four Express / Five

Level: Marks: 50
Normal Academic
Subject: English Language Day: Thursday
Paper: 1128/02 Date: 19 August 2021
Duration: 1 hr 50 min Time: 1035–1225

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your name, index number and class in the spaces provided on the work you hand
in.
Write in dark blue or black ink on both sides of the paper.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.

Answer all questions.

Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Question Booklet.
The Insert contains the texts for all the sections.

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part
question.
For Examiner’s Use
Hand in both Insert and Question Booklets. Section A

Section B

Section C

Total

Do not turn the page until you are told to do so.

This document consists of 9 printed pages, 1 blank page and 1 Insert.
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Section A [5 marks]

Refer to the poster (Text 1) on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 1–3.

1 Refer to the section ‘This has to stop’.

(i) ‘All retail stores are equipped with sensitive CCTV cameras, all
shopping malls are under police surveillance and all corners of the mall
are patrolled more often than you think. You can’t escape.’

What is the main message conveyed?

……………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

(ii) Identify a word in the same section that conveys the opposite idea of
‘lifetime’.

………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

2 Look at the main image in the background. How does the contrasting
images support the idea conveyed in ‘IT IS NOT WORTH IT’?

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………………………………………………………………………………………. [2]

3 Refer to the section ‘Don’t Do It’ and the paragraph below it.

What is the tone used?

………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]
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Section B [20 marks]

Refer to Text 2 on pages 3 and 4 of the Insert for Questions 4–15.

4 In paragraph 1, explain why the writer says ‘There was no way to know when
this walk will take place’ (lines 3–4).

............................................................................................................................. [1]

5 In paragraph 2, the writer describes the condition of the jail cell. Explain how
the language in paragraph 2 suggests that the cell was in a bad condition.

Support your ideas with 3 details from paragraph 2.

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6 ‘He is free to choose his torture.’ (line 15)

What is the writer’s tone?

............................................................................................................................. [1]

7 Identify a word in paragraph 2 that suggests Oudom is very thin.

…………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]
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8 Explain fully why the writer describes Oudom as ‘ailing’ (line 19).

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…………………………………………………………………………………………... [2]

9 In paragraph 3, what is unusual and effective about the phrase ‘sweet mental
torture’ (line 28)?

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…………………………………………………………………………………………... [2]

10 The writer ends paragraph 3 with the use of a dash.

What is effective about it?

…………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]

11 With reference to paragraph 4, why does the leaf stand out? Answer in your
own words.

…………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]

12 ‘Outside, there is a world of trees and farms and fields and rivers and villages.
There are food and water and bathing, family and friends, and radio and music;
there are flowers and pretty girls and games, sunshine and rain, and wind,
days and nights. There are mangos and mosquitos, satay and the smell of
charcoal, and steaming balls of rice wrapped in pandan leaves, and the taste of
garlic, curry and coconut, spices and flavour.’ (lines 41–47)

The writer uses a series of long sentences. What is the intended effect?

…………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]
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13 (i) What does the word ‘stiffens’ (line 53) suggest about how Oudom was
feeling?

………………………………………………………………………………………...…. [1]

(ii) Pick out another word in the same paragraph that conveys a similar idea.

…………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

14 Why does the writer use the simile ‘like a lamb to the slaughter’ (line 59) to
describe Oudom?

………………………………………………………………………………….............

………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1]

15 The structure of the text reflects the main stages of Oudom’s experience.
Complete the flow chart by choosing one phrase from the given options to
summarise the main stages described in each part of the text. There are some
extra phrases in the options you do not need to use. You can only use each
option once.

Stages of Oudom’s Experience

occasional, sporadic internal struggle and dreadful cessation

relief strife

hopelessness and emptiness and yearning and

despair bleakness imagination

Paragraph 1 (i) occasional, sporadic relief

Paragraph 2 (ii) …………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 3 (iii)…………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 4 (iv) ………………………………….………………………..

Paragraph 5 (v) ………………………………….……………………….. [4]

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Section C [25 marks]

Refer to Text 3 on pages 5 and 6 of the Insert for Questions 16–22.

16 With reference to the italicised words, what is the difference in attitudes

between the writer and the public on administering capital punishment?

Perspective of Details in passage Attitude

Writer ‘…fundamentally
degrading and inhumane.’
(line 1)

The public ‘how little the public is

seized with the issue.’
(lines 13–14)
[2]

17 What does the word ‘handful’ (line 9) suggest about the number of anti-
death activists?

………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]

18 (i) Identify a sentence in paragraph 3 that shows the irony of capital

punishment.

………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]

(ii) Identify a word in the same paragraph that supports this idea.

………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]
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19 Here is a part of a conversation between two judges, Rob and Stan, who
have read the article.

I think the Definitely not!

death penalty There are
should compelling
always be reasons
compulsory! behind the
behaviour!
Judge Rob Judge Stan

(i) Identify the two reasons that support the view of Judge Rob in paragraph
5.

……….............................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) How would Judge Stan explain his position with reference to lines 41–
42?

……………………………………………………………………………………….

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………………………………………………………………………………………. [2]

20 In paragraph 6, how does the language in Mr Shanmugam’s speech

emphasise the devastating effects of drug offences?

………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

21 In paragraph 7, what does the phrase ‘In the same vein’ (lines 54–55)
suggest about the views of Mr Kendall and Mr Sudheesan?

………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]
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22 Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the arguments for
and against capital punishment.

Use only information from paragraphs 3 and 4.

Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). It must not be
longer than 80 words (not counting the words given to help you begin).

Debates on capital punishment are based on the opinion that ……………….

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No of words: [15]

END OF PAPER
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