English New Pamplet 2023 Senior Edited Version

Hermann Gmeiner Secondary School Livingstone District Ronex Hamalambo
THE MASTER KEY TO SUCCESS IN SENIOR

EXAMINATIONS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
GRADE 10-12 (ZAMBIAN SYLUBUS)
TOPICS
➢ STRUCURE- KEY POINTS, SUMMARY & COMPREHENSION

➢ EXAMINATION PAST QUESTIONS
➢ EXAMINATION TIPS ON VARIOUS QUESTIONS
VOLUME 3 2023
AUTHOR: MR.R. HAMALAMBO
Language Teacher
HERMANN GMEINER SECONDARY SCHOOL– LIVINGSTONE

DISTRICT
CONTACTS: 0978407512/0954242993
NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM

WITHOUT PERMISION FROM THE AUTHOR
1
EXAMINATION TIPS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2

Paper two has three (3) questions.
QUESTION 1 (STRUCTURE) [20 MARKS]
This section will have two sections.
Section 1: Lexis (vocabulary) – [10 marks]
➢ The section will have 20 items. Questions such as Cloze passage, multiple choice,
short answers and completing a given sentence come under this section.
(i) Cloze Passage
➢ In this type of question, there will be (20) blank spaces allocated half a mark each.
Candidates will be expected to fill in each blank spaces with one suitable word.
(ii) Multiple Choice (Lexical items)
➢ Candidates will be expected to choose one appropriate word from the options given to
complete given sentences.
Examples
✓ Spellings e.g (Receive not Recieve), synonyms e.g (commence/start/begin),
Antonyms e.g (dark/light), homographs e.g (live/live), homonyms e.g
(present/present) and phrasal verbs e.g Put out (extinguish the fire).
(iii) One Word Response
➢ This can take different forms, such as:
(a) Completing a sentence with the correct word by filling in the blanks from a pool
of given words.
(b) Identifying incorrectly used words and then supplying the correct ones
(grammatical mistakes).
Section 2: Transformations (Rewrites) – [10 Marks]
➢ In this section, candidates will be required to transform or rewrite sentences in
accordance with the given instructions for each transformation without changing the
meaning of the original sentence.
QUESTION 2 COMPREHENSION [20 MARKS]
➢ Candidates will be expected to read and understand the passage. Thereafter, answer
the follow up questions.
➢ This section has a range of questions from multiple choice to open ended.
QUESTION 3 SUMMARY [20 MARKS]
➢ Candidates will be required to read a given summary and then answer the questions
that follows in prose form.
➢ Candidates should be able to write a well-connected prose summary following the
word limit.
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SAMPLES OF QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE IN PAPER 2

QUESTION 1 1. The correct answer is up.
SECTION 1(Lexis) ➢ The question is
1. She picked _______ the cup (below, up, testing candidates on
with, above) vocabulary and
2. Wishing to avoid a riot, the _________ gave knowledge of the
all workers fewer hours of work. correct prepositions
(a) Principal 2. The correct answer is
(b) Principle Principal
3. Hakaintu is a pseudo lawyer. (refined ➢ The candidates are
lawyer, competent lawyer, expensive required to give a
lawyer, fake lawyer) correct lexical item
4. A flock of wolves attacked them _________ (homophones)
5. I do not know the bill as the 3. The correct answer is fake
_________readings have not yet been taken lawyer.
by Electricity corporation. ➢ The candidates are
(a) Meter (b) metre (c) Mitre (d) Metor required to give a
correct synonym
4. The correct answer is pack,
the question is asking the
candidate to replace the
collective noun with a
correct one.
5. The correct answer is A
(meter)
The questions was testing
candidates on vocabulary
and knowledge of correct
spellings.
SECTION 2 TRANSFORMATIONS The correct answer is
1. Sugar prices will go up sharply next week. That sugar prices will go up sharply
That is unavoidable. next week is unavoidable.
B. That ________________________
Candidates are required to recall

learnt materials and apply the rules
of grammar to rewrite the sentence.
QUESTION 2: COMPREHENSION Expected answers

From the underlined words in the
passage, find one word which (i) Realm
means the same or nearly the (ii) Replicate
same as the following words or (iii) Compost
phrases. (iv) Palatability
(i) Domain of activity __________
(ii) Do similar fashion__________
(iii) Decayed organic material_____
(iv) Pleasantness_____________
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QUESTION 3: SUMMARY [20 MARKS] The correct answer will cite only the
According to the passage, what are the disadvantages that humans would
disadvantages that humans would face if machines face if machines took over their
took their work? Answer in not more than 130 work.
words. The word limit must be observed.
2021 INTERNAL TRANSFORMATION ANALYSIS

1. Question one was based on condition (Not until)
QUESTION 1
A. The old lady was attended to only when the director intervened.
B. Not Unit __________________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ When not until begins a sentence, the concept being tested is inversion,
which means using interrogative form of whatever tense the verb is in.
➢ This is a phenomenon called negative inversion; when a sentence starts with
a negative adverbial. (Never, not every day, not until, hardly, seldom etc).
➢ It is used for starting the point at which something finally happens, becomes
possible or becomes true.
EXPECTED ANSWER
(i) Not until the director intervened was the old lady attended to
(no comma is required between intervened and was).

QUESTION 2
A. Clara was both an actress and a soccer player.
B. Besides ___________________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ Besides means in addition to; apart from
➢ Beside means next to
➢ This is a linking adverb or preposition or linking word.
EXPECTED ANSWERS
(i) Besides being an actress, Clara was a soccer player
(ii) Besides Clara being an actress, she was a soccer player.
(Do not accept ‘as we as’, too and also)
QUESTION 3
A. I am sorry I did not seek the doctor’s advice.
B. I wish I _________________________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ I wish is used with the past simple to show that you feel sorry or sad
about a state or situation that exists at the moment.
➢ It is also used with the past perfect to express that you feel sorry or
sad about a particular action in the past.
EXPECTED ANSWER
(i) I wish I had sought the doctor’s advice.
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( Do not accept; I wish I sought the doctor’s advice)

QUESTION 4
A. You need to stop dodging lessons.
B.I would rather you _____________________________________
➢ Would rather is used to show that you prefer to have or do one thing more than the
other and is followed by simple + gerund.
EXPECTED ANSWER
(i) I would rather you stopped dodging lessons
QUESTION 5
A. She will buy the books provided that you give her the money.
B. As long as _________________________________________________________
➢ This question was based on conjunctions.
➢ As long as/ so long as are conjunctions used to refer to the intended duration of a plan
or idea, most commonly referring to the future.
EXPECTED ANSWERS
(i) As long as you give her the money, she will buy the books.
(ii) As long as you don’t give her the money, she will not buy the books.
QUESTION 6
A. You should not use bad language.
B. You should avoid ____________________________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ This question was based on verbs followed by (ing) or gerunds.
➢ Avoid is followed by (ing) or gerund.
EXPECTED ANSWERS
(i) You should avoid using bad language.
(ii) You should avoid use of bad language.
QUESTION 7
A. As Charity works harder, she made more money.
B. The harder ____________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ This question was based on pararrel comparison.
EXPECTED ANSWER
The harder Charity worked, the more money she made.
QUESTION 8
A. Kitesa accidentally broke the glasses when he was setting the table.
B. Setting __________________________________________________________
EXPLANATION
This question was based on participial phrases.
A participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle and the modifier that
functions as the direct object of the action or state expresses in the participle.
EXPECTED ANSWER
(i) Setting the table, Kitesa accidentally broke the glasses.
QUESTION 9
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A. He didn’t perform well although he studied hard.

B. __________________________________despite _________________
EXPLANATION
➢ After despite, we use a noun, gerund (ing) or a pronoun.
EXPECTED ANSWERS
(i) He didn’t perform well despite studying hard.
(ii) He didn’t perform well despite the fact that he studied hard.
(iii) He didn’t perform well despite his studying hard.
QUESTION 10
A. Chilinda and seven other students were expelled from the university last year.
B. Chilinda, with __________________________________________________
EXPLANATION
➢ A non-defining relative clause tells us more about the subject of the
sentence, but the information does not help to define what we are talking
about.
➢ In this case, the verb agrees with the subject and not the additional
information of the non-defining relative clause.
EXPECTED ANSWER
(i) Chilinda, with seven other students, was expelled from the university.
CLOZE TEST
A cloze test is a procedure in which a candidate is asked to supply words that have
been removed from a passage as a test of their ability to comprehend the text.
TYPES OF CLOZE TESTS
1. Word bank/Pool – This type of cloze test has a random list of choices required to
fill the blank spaces.
2. Multiple Choice: This type of a test has three or four multiple choice answer.
However, a candidate is required to choose only one answer from the options
given.
3. Fill in the blank spaces: This type of a cloze test does not have multiple choice
answers. Some words are deliberately eliminated so that the pupils can supply the
correct answers.
4. Replacing the incorrect words: This is a type of cloze test where a candidate is
required to replace the incorrect words with the correct ones.
STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ANSWERING CLOZE TESTS
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➢ Read the passage before choosing any word from the word bank/pool of
words. It’s important to have a solid understanding of the whole text. If
there no answers given. Ensure that you also read the entire passage in
order to have a clue of some required answers in the blank spaces.
➢ Ensure that the word you choose fits grammatically in the blank space
provided.
➢ Start answering those you confidently know because they will give you
clues for the other blank spaces that are yet to be filled in.
➢ Once the cloze is fully filled in, read it back. This will help you to make
necessary corrections and it will lead you to the other missing answers.
➢ You can find blanks that can have more than one suitable answer but what
can help you is to find the link to connect the options. Linking the before
and after word with the blank space is very helpful.
CONSIDER THE TONE OF THE CLOZE
The cloze test passage is connected with a combination of nouns, articles,
pronouns, adjective, verbs and other parts of speech.
It is very necessary to find out the tone of the passage and the pattern of the
entire comprehension.
STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTION GCE 2O21
Complete the following passage by supplying the missing words. Only one word must be filled in
each blank space.
The medical breakthroughs Zambia has experienced in the recent past are no doubt a milestone.
Doctors at the University Teaching Hospital have performed kidney transplant which (1)__________
previously referred to hospitals outside the country. Credit (2)___________ to our medical staff who
have helped in (3)____________ the lives of patients and time by (4)____________ those in need
locally. However, the successes the medical personnel have scored have scored have come with
challenges, chief (5) _____________ them is lack of donors to give kidneys to patients who require
them. This challenge mainly arises (6)_____________ the fact that would be donors are shrouded (7)
_____________ a cloud of fear to donate organs like kidneys.
Would-be donors fear that they (8)____________ live on one kidney and so they shudder to entertain
the idea of giving away one of their organs. Sometimes the pressure (9) ____________ from relatives
of a willing donor who will be (10)_______________from donating an organ for fear
(11)____________ losing both the donor and the patient.
Unlike the developed countries, which have banks (12)_____________ the organs can be stored,
Zambia (13) _____________ on those who come forward when need (14) ___________________
The achievements our medical staff have made (15) ____________, far instill confidence in them but
they need everyone's support to (16) ______________ in their future endeavours. Kidney patients
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(17) ___________ not have it easy in our country because the (18)____________ of treatment is high.
A patient has to part away with a substantial amount of money for one session only. The onus is
(19)______________ our medical personnel to educate the people on the fact that one can use a
(20)_____________ kidney and live a healthy and long life.
GCE 2021- CLOZE PASSAGE

1 Were 6 From 11 Of 16 Succed/excel
2 Goes 7 In 12 Where 17 do
3 Saving 8 Cannot/can’t 13 Depends/relies 18 Cost/expensive
4 Treating 9 Comes/emanets/originates 14 Arises 19 on
5 Among/Amongst 10 Discouraged/prevented 15 So 20 Single/one
SYNONYMS/ANTONYMS
Synonyms are words which have almost the same meaning or nearly the same meaning.
Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
WORD SYNONYM ANTONYM

1 Amateur Beginner, novice Professional
2 Artificial Fake, synthetic Real/authentic
3 Authentic Genuine, real, factual False, artificial
4 Cease Stop, discontinue Continue, recommence
5 Dubious Doubtful, questionable Certain
6 Insufficient Inadequate, deficiency Adequate, enough
7 Independent Autonomous, self-reliant Dependant, unsure
8 Pseudo Fake Bona fide, genuine
9 Trivial Negligible Important/crucial
11 Peripheral End Internal/inner/intrinsic
13 Quarantine Confine Free/desegregate/unite
14 Predict Fortell Doubt/misunderstand
15 Candid Frank Deceptive
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16 Invention Creation Elimination/wipeout

16 Affluent Wealthy/well-off Poor/poverty
17 Rebuke Scold/Criticize Commend/praise/congratulate
18 Sufficient Ample/adequate Lacking/insufficient
19 Optimistic Hopeful/confident Pessimistic
20 Zenith Peak/apex/pinnacle Bottom/base
STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTION 2020 VOCABULARY / GCE
Choose the answer that completes the sentences. Write your answers in the spaces
provided.
Example: Many factories suffered substantial damage last year.

(Existence,little,noticeable,solid)
1. That is the latest invention by the famous professor_______________

(creation,discovery,manufacture,making)
2. It is difficult predit the end result in this game. (intend,know,foretell,presume)
3. The principal was delighted to receive a unanimous response from the students.
(synonymous,harmonious,united,logical)
4. It is dangerous for soldiers at war to deplete the bullet stocks.
(dispose,expose,finish,replenish)
5. Since this issue is trivial let us progress. (real,obvious,negligible,unusual)
6. The Sinamuzeze brothers would have fought if they were not restrained.
(constrained,stopped,whipped,defeated)
7. All autonomous institutions will meet the president tomorrow.
(successfully,wealthy,synonymous,independednt)
8. My sister lives at the peripheral of the town. (centre,end,beginning,hub)
9. There was no option but to quarantine the cholera patients
(treat,confine,confirm,discharge)
10. I do not get bored listening to eloquent speakers.(frequent,fast,fluent,swift)
11. The teacher will not permit anyone to leave early. (refuse,accept,allow,forbid)
12. Mr chanda liked the architect’s innovative plans.(powerful,original,expensive,sporty)
13. Florence’s new sneakers were spotless. (clean,dirty,expensive,sporty)
14. Each of the Poet’s work is unique. (similar,different,right,peculiar)
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15. The children take after their father. (respect,like,love,resemble)

16. The worries triumphed in their pursuit. (lost,persisted,succeded,surrendered)
17. There was anarchy in the stadium after the first goal.
(excitement,confusion,amazement,jubilation)
18. An owl is a nocturnal hunter. (vicious,skilled,night,bird)
19. The little girl looked down on the maid. (disputed,despised,disliked,watched)
20. Hakaintu is a pseudo lawyer. (refined lawyer,competent lawyer,expensive lawyer,fake
lawyer)
2020 GCE VOCABULARY
1. Creation 6 Stopped 11 Allow 16 Succeeded

2 Foretell 7 Independent 12 Original 17 Confusion
3 United 8 End 13 Clean 18 Night
4 Finish 9 Confine 14 Peculiar 19 Despised
5 Negligible 10 Fluent 15 Resemble 20 Fake lawyer
TRY THIS
2017 STRUCTURE: VOCABULARY

1. The match did not start on time as one of the match officials arrived late. (turned
on,turned over,turned out,turned up) __________
2. This bag is made of artificial leather. (morden,synthetic,new,natural)________
3. Due to drought, the power supply was irregular. (slow,impatient,prolific,erratic)
____
4. The Headteacher asked the prefects to give him their candid opinion about an
affluent country. (Industrialised,democratic,wealthy,capitalist)__________
5. The United States of America provides an apt example of an affluent country.
(industrialised,democratic,wealthy,capitalist)________________
6. Industrial towns are usually polluted by
smoke.(filled,contaminated,oxidized,contaminated)________________
7. The president accommodated a diversity of ideas.
(complicity,uniformity,variety,consistent)________________
8. The outfit was suitable for the weather. (specific,typical,characterics,appropriate)
9. She by chance found the missing ring.(came to,came round,came up,came across)
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10. An old friend of mine called at my office yesterday. (visited,telephoned,shouted at,

returned to)________________
11. I was asked to record the interview verbatim.(verbally,word for word, in writing,
orally) _________________
12. We should not always back up our friends in what they say.
(support,oppose,disappoint,accept). ______________
13. All members agreed to a tentative proposal of raising the membership
fee.(timely,final,provisional,initial) _______________
14. Some people have only superficial knowledge of things.
(deep,shallow,little,superfluous) _______________
15. The pain fell out because few members supported it.
(failed,succeeded,collapsed,dropped) __________________
16. The police came across a Cadaver near the post officer. (carcass, corpse, criminal,
suspect) ________________
17. Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire. (puts off, puts out, switches off, switches out)
18. She has been unwell for a long time and her health has deteriorated.
(decreased,failed,worsened,declined) ______________
19. Water is a therapy. (need,want,healer,liquid) ___________
20. Killing people is heinous crime. (serious,bad,sad,heartless) ______________
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COLLECTIVE NOUNS FOR ANIMALS
These nouns are collectively identified as a group e.g Swam, flight, Pack etc.
A collective noun is the name of a collection of nouns.
ANIMAL BABY NAME SOUND GROUP NAME HABITAT FEMALE Male

NAME Name
ANT Antling Colony Ant hill
Alligator Hatchling Congregation Cow Bull
Bird Chick Sing/tweet/chirp Flight Hen Cock
Cat Kitten Meow Clutter queen Tomcat
Chicken Chick Cluck Flock/brood Chicken Hen Rooster
run
Dog Puppy Bark Pack Kennel Bitch Dog/gang
/litter
Lion Cub Roar Pride Den Lioness Lion
Monkey Infant Whoop/screech Troop Female Male
Mosquito Inymph Swarm Female Male
Pig Piglet Snort Piggery Sow Boar
Sheep Lamb Baa/bleat Drove/flock/ herd Ewe Buck
Snake Snakelet/neonate Hiss Bed/nest Female Male
Wolf Pup Pack Bitch Dog
Elephant Calf Trumpet Herd Cow Bull
Fish Fry School/shoal/catch
Cow Calf Moo Herd Kraal
Bee Buzz Swarm Bee hive
Goats Bleat/baa Herd/tribe/trip
Hoarse Foal Herd Stable
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OTHER COLLECTIVE NOUNS
A Quiver of arrows A gang of prisoners A herd/xeal or cohot of

A pair of shoes A line of kings Zebras
A galax of stars A troop of scouts A band/troop of Zebras
A flight of airplanes A pack of thieves A bask/float of crocodiles
A flight of steps A library of books A zoo of world animals
A line of cars A troupe of dancers/artists
A forest of trees A board of directors A female cattle that has not
A comb/bunch of bananas A bunch of crocks had any offspring is called
A list of names A class of students heifer.
A bunch of keys A gang of A troop of monkeys/gorillas
A collection of coins robbers/thieves/croocks A train of camels.
A reel of film A regiment of soldiers A parade of elephants
An army of soldiers A crew of sailors A flock of birds
A packet of letters A class of pupils A panel of experts/judges
A bouquet of flowers A pack of wolves A coven of witches
A fleet of ships A litter of puppies/cubs
A bar of soap A parliament of Owls
STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
1. I saw three sheeps at the park last week. ________[2010]

2. I saw a crowd of ships at the harbour last week. _______[2010]
3. A bird of prey has four toes on each leg. ____________[2010]
4. A good lawyer will always have many customers.__________ [2010]
5. We travelled by boat from South Africa to Madagascar and I didn’t enjoy the journey
______ [2010]
6. A flock of wolves attacked them.______________ [2020]
7. A pig and its kid were stolen yesterday. _____________ [2020]
8. The goat barked when it saw a snake. ___________ [2020]
9. The tourists are interested in seeing a touple of monkeys near the Victoria Falls.
_______ [2020]
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10. I like the ___________ of the birds in the morning. (singing, crying, buzzing, hooting)
11. You will be lucky to see a ______________of lions in the park. (group, flock, pride,
bunch) [2006]
12. Nomiya received a ____________ of flowers from her cousin yesterday. (Bundle,
bouquet ,branch, bunch] [2010].
ANSWERS
1 Sheep 7 Piglet
2 Fleet 8 Bleeted
4 Clients 9 Troop
5 Voyage 10 Singing
6 Pack 11 Pride
12 Bouquet
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PHRASAL VERBS
1. Alight from- To get down from a STANDARD ECZ QUESTIONS

vehicle 1. 1. The children take after their father.
2. To Check out- To leave the hotel (respect,like,love,resemble) [2020]
3. Pull overcome to a stop 2. The little girl looked down on the maid.
4. Set back- Delay/ Obstruct (disputed,despised,disliked,watched)
5. Bring up- to initiate a conversation on a 3. The match did not start on time as one of
subject. the match officials arrived late. (turned
6. Carry on- To continue on,turned over,turned out,turned up)
7. Come across – to discover by accident __________ [2017]
8. Get up – to stop sleeping and leave the 4. An old friend of mine called at my
bed office yesterday.
9. Hold on – to wait patiently (visited,telephoned,shouted at, returned
10. Put out – to extinguish the fire. to) [2017]
11. Put off – postpone 5. She by chance found the missing
12. Call off - cancel ring.(came to,came round,came up,came
13. Back out – to withdraw from something across) [2017]
one has agreed to do. 6. We should not always back up our
14. Clean up – Tidy/clean friends in what they say.
15. Hang up – End the call (support,oppose,disappoint,accept).
16. Care for – like [2017]
17. Put out – Extinguish 7. The debt was finally written
18. Called on – Visited _____________ (of,off,out,with)
19. Break down- Dividing something into 8. Most of the roads that were constructed
smaller parts were washed ________ by the rains.
20. Break Down- Stop functioning/get (away,off,out,over) [2016 GCE]
upset 9. The leader handed__________ power to
21. Call up – phone the new one. ( in,on,over,up)
22. Cheer up- become happier [2016GCE]
23. Come Hold on apart- Separate 10. All the criminals were rounded
24. Get away- do without being noticed/ ________ by the Police. (in,off,over,up)
punished or to go on vacation. [2016]
25. Give up – stop trying.
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26. - wait for a short time.

27. Look up – To search for information e.g
in reference book.
28. Pass away- Die
29. Take after – Resemble.
30. Turn up- Appear suddenly
31. Wear off – Fade
32. Pass out – give something to many
people/ faint
33. Make up – forgive each other.
34. Mix up – Confuse two or three things;
PARTS OF SPEECH
A Noun is a naming word e.g a name of a person or a place. e.g Jane, Lusaka, Sugar etc.
Pronouns takes the place of a noun in a sentence. e.g he/she, I etc.
A verb is a doing word e.g walk, eat, swim etc.
An Adjective is a word that describes a noun e.g handsome or beautiful.
Adverbs are words that describes a verb. e.g silently, badly, really etc.
Prepositions are words which describe the relationship between a noun or pronoun and
another word in a sentence. e.g above, for, under, from etc.
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A conjuction joins words or phrases in a sentence. e.g but, and, while
Articles are words like a , an and the which are used before a noun.
WORD DISTINCTION
1. Borrow, Lend, Loan, Lease

Borrow means to receive something from someone.
Lend means to give something to someone.
Loan means to lend someone something especially money.
Lease to pay to use someone’s property for long period e.g land.
2. Steal, Rob, Plunder, loot and Burgle.
Burgle means to break into a building and steal.
Steal means to steal something for someone/ refers to things.
Rob means to rob a person or place and not things
3. Journey, Voyage and flight.
Journey: Movement from one place to another especially over long distances by road.
Voyage: Is a journey by boat/ship (water/sea journey).
Flight: is a journey by an aeroplane.
4. Minutes, Agenda and Motion.
Minutes: The official written records of what is said and decided at a meeting.
Agenda: A list of items/ Topics to be discussed in a Meeting.
Motion: A proposal that is made formally at a meeting and then decided on by voting.
5. Kill, Murder, Manslaughter and Execute
Kill: To make someone die
Murder: To kill someone intentionally.
Manslaughter: To kill unintentionally.
Excute: To kill
6. Paining, aching and hurting
Hurt is used to mean injure
Hurt is to feel pain: accidentally caused pain or injury. It can be emotional pain as
well as physical pain.
Pain – is used mean stronger pain/ physical discomfort. E.g the pain we fell after
breaking a bone.
Pain is external and is more difficult to ignore.
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Ache is discomfort that continues for some time e.g headache or tooth ache.
It is internal.
7. How, What…..like?
How and what like are used when describing something. However, like is only used
with what and must not be used with how.
STANDARD EXAMINATIONS QUESTIONS
1. He was accused of stealing, but he __________this (denied,refused,rejected)
(2013)
2. We travelled by boat from South Africa to Madagascar and I didn’t enjoy the
_______________ (journey, voyage, flight.). (2010)
HOMOPHONES
Homophones are words with same sound but have different spellings and meanings.
Brake/Break Calender/calendar
Cell/sell Sauce/source
Cheap/Cheep Scene/seen
Cite/sight/Site There/their
Capital/Capitol Row/raw/roll
Heal/ heel/Hills Compliment/ Complement
Sore/saw/sow Click/Clique
Stair/stare Bred/Bread
Foul/Fowl Air/Heir/hare
Principal/Principle Raw,Roll,Row
Mare/Mere Warn/worn
Course/coarse/cuase Horse/ hoarse/hose
Compliment/complement Pick/ peck/ peak
Foul/fowl Match/march/much
Franc/Frank Assent/ ascent/accent
Lain/lane Arc/ark/acre
Laid/lade Myth/ mirth
Sale/sail Advise/advice
Vane/vane/vein
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Waste/waist
STANDARD QUESTIONS BASED ON THE TOPIC [2018]
1. Zambia needs to process _________ materials before they are exported to the other
countries. (law,raw,role,row)
2. A lion is an animal of _____________ (play,pray,prey,preys)
3. Most learners at Betu Secondary school are _________
(boarders,bolders,boarders,boulders)
4. When answering questions, it is advisable to __________ (cite,sight,site,sites)
5. She is the ________ candidate in the race. (saw,sole,sore,sow)
6. Peace is better than _______ (wall,war,whore,wore)
7. Will you please pick up that cigarate __________? (bat,but,butt,buttd)
8. She has _______ down because her head is aching. (laid,lain,lay,lied)
9. The Headteacher has a ________ head. (bald,board,bold,bored)
10. Give me a________ pipe. I want to water the garden. (hoarse,horse,hose,hoes)
11. Those birds are in ________ to the Northern Hemisphere. (flight,freight,fright,frights)
12. Fine salt is more expensive than _________ salt. (cuase,coarse,course,courses)
13. I prefer the ________ alternative to the former. (later,latter,letter,litter)
14. Rotten eggs smell _____________ (fall, foal, foul,fowl)
15. People who like milk consume a lot of _________ products. (daily, dairy, diaries,
diary)
16. Seeing a policeman, the thief took to his__________. (heals, heels, hill, hills)
17. The _______ left their homeland to another country in the hope of securing a better
future for their families. (emigrants,immigrants,migrant,migrations)
18. You can be ____________ that all your valuables will be safe with us. (assured,
ensured, insurance, insured)
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2018 STRUCTURE: INTERNAL ANSWERS
4 Cite 9 Bald 14 Foul

5 Sole 10 Hose 15 Dairy
1 Raw 6 War 11 Flight 16 Heels
2 Prey 7 Butts 12 Course 17 Immigrants
3 Boarders 8 Laid 13 Later 18 Assured
HOMOGRAPHS
Are words that have the same spellings but different meanings whether they are pronounced
the same or not. e.g Bass (the fish, rhymes with class) and Bass (the instrument, rhymes with
ace are homographs.
EXAMPLES
1. Band- The band was playing old 7. Desert – The area of the country
music is a desert.
Band – The hair band is very Desert – The village was
beautiful deserted
2. Park – National park is very 8. Close – To close the door
beautiful Close – Come closer
Park – Please park your car 9. Bark – For the sound of a dog.
outside Bark – the covering of the tree
3. Book – please book a taxi for 10. Live - We used to live in London
me. Live – The club was playing live
Book – I like poetry books. music
4. Date – What is the date today?
Date – Lets go for a date.
5. Bank – She sat on the bank of the
river.
Bank – She deposited the money
in the bank.
6. Letter – He received a letter from
the school
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Letter – B is the second letter of

the alphabet
HOMONYMS
Are words with the same spelling, same sounds but different meanings
EXAMPLE
1. Court – Court of law 6. Spring – A season
Court – tennis court Spring – Coiled metal
2. Bear – yield 7. Park – National park is very
Bear – a grizzly animal beautiful
3. Bank – each side of a river Park – Please park your car
Bank – Business institution outside.
4. Phlegm – Mucus 8. Well – Well done! You passed
Phlegm – calmness the exam.
5. Ring – To call someone Well – This well has no water.
Ring – A band on a finger
QUESTION TAGS
A question tag is a short question form that comes at the end of a statement.
When the question tag is in positive form it means the answer will be negative or vice versa.
Example
1. She doesn’t know how to cook. does she?

2. She is not a good girl. Is she?
3. It’s windy today, isn’t it?
4. You have lived in South Africa, haven’t you?
However, some question tags are imperatives.
Imperatives are commands or requests.
At the end of all imperatives shall or will is going to be added as the answer.
If the imperative has the first objective pronoun it means shall is going to be added at the end
of the imperative.
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If the imperative has the second object pronoun, will is going to be added at the end of the
imperative.
Examples
1. Take a seat, will you?

2. Open the window, will you?
3. Let’s sunbathe today, shall we?

1. There is an adage that states that “Health is wealthy”. (2019)
Add a question tag. ________________________________________?
2. Stay away from the fence. (2017 GCE)
Add a question tag. ________________________________________?
3. Take that dirty bucket away. (2015)
Add a question tag. _________________________________________?
4. You are coming with us. (2013)
Add a question tag. _________________________________________?
PREPOSITIONS
A Preposition is a word that shows the relationship between one word and another/ is a word
used to link a noun or pronoun with other words in a sentence.
TYPES OF PREPOSTIONS
1. Preposition of time
The examples are on, at,in, since,for, from,to,from-until, during etc.
2. Preposition of place.
The examples are in, inside,on,at,over,above,underneath,beneath,below,near,by,next
to,between,amon,near,among,opposite etc.
3. Preposition of introducing the object.
Examples are of, above, for etc.
OTHER PREPOSITIONS
1. Besides and Beside
Beside means next to
Besides means in addition to.
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2. Between and Among

Between is used when two items are involved.
Among is used when three or more items are involved.
EXAMPLES
About Due to
Above During
Across Except
Against For
After From
Along Hence
Ahead of In
Amidst In addition to
Among In case of
Amongst In front of
Apart Into
Around Near
As Next
At In spite of
Away On
Before Under
Below Behind
Beneath Near
Besides Despite
Between Ago
Toward Up
Off With
Upon Hence
Without Opposite
Through
By
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STANDARD QUESTIONS ON PREPOSITIONS 2022 GCE

1. Mulenga sent a copy of his will to his lawyer _______safe keeping. (for, from,on, with)
2. The car is to be sold ______auction.(in,on,of, with)
3. Mr Mubita is a good teacher who takes great pride ________his work.(about,in,of,on)
4. I am not ______ Liberty to tell you what happened at the bank (at,in,under, with).
5. There was a lamp hanging ________the baby’s crib.(at,in,under, with).
6. The delegate was _______ himself with rage when he was mistaken for a intruder. (beside,
against,besides, within).
7. The two men were found guilty __________ fraud.(at,in,of,with).
8. The news of her friend’s suffering reduced her __________ tears.(in, to, at , with)
9. My father enjoys coffee _______ milk. (from,in,of, without).
10. Criminals are usually punished I’m accordance _________ the law.(to, for,by,with).
11. The hunter sat down ________ the fire.(at,by, between, with)
12. Mwansa turned _____________her request. (down,on,up, with).
13. Her new teacher’s house was a few meters ____________ from school.(down,
away,across,over).
14. Men think it is __________ their dignity to help around the house and watch the children.
(below,beneath,beside,without).
15. ________________ then, he had treated her with total respect. (by,from,since,up).
16. The prisoners escaped __________ jail. (for, from, near, under).
17. Everything__________ him was mascuiline. (about,at,on,with).
18. He is _________ a job.( after, at, from, under).
19. Mr sinonge shared his wealthy __________ his four children. ( at, between, among, with)
20. Silence fell ___________ the couple and then he spoke. (among, before, between, under)
GCE 2022 ANSWERS

1 For 6 Against 11 By 16 From
2 On 7 Of 12 Down 17 About
3 In 8 To 13 Away 18 After
4 At 9 Without 14 Below 19 Among
On 10 With 15 Since 20 Before
GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES/ERRORS
Grammatical errors are parts of a text that do not follow standard rules. These
include errors involving parts of speech, word order, subject/verb agreement and
tense consistency.
1. Whose vs who’s 9. That/who
Whose is a possessive form of
who, a relative pronoun.
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Who’s is a contraction of who Use that when you are talking

is. about things and who when
2. Advice vs advise you are taking about people.
Advice is a noun, an opinion 10. Then/ Than
offered by someone else Use then when you are taking
regarding specific situations. about time
E.g She gave me some advice. Use than you are comparing
Advise is a verb. To advise is things.
to give to someone or notify 13. I.e vs e.g
someone about something. I.e is short form of id est and is
Example used to clarify stastements.
I advised her to study for her E.g is a short form of exempli
exam. gratia and is used to provide
3. Desert vs dessert examples.
Desert is a dry land 13. a lot vs alot
Dessert is a sweet treat or dish
usually served at the end of A lot can be a pronoun or an
meals adverb. It means “often” or “ a
4. Is vs Are large amount”.
Is used in singular Alot is not a word. Avoid it in
Are is used in plural your writing.
5. Was vs Were
Was is used if the subject is
singular
Were is used if the subject is
plural
6. Has vs Have
Has is used in singular things
Have is used in plural
7. Less vs few
Use fewer for numbers
countable
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Use less for things that can’t

be counted.
8. Would vs Should vs Could
TYPES OF GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES

1. Incorrect subject verb agreement
The relationship between a subject and its verb.
2. Wrong tense or verb form
The verb form that shows whether you are referring to the past, future or
present
Example
After I had eaten my lunch, I to her while she was eating hers.
(was talking/have talked/talked)
3. Incorrect singular/plural agreement
Agreement between noun forms
4. Incorrect use of articles
The incorrect use or omission of a, an and the.
COMMON GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES

MISTAKE CORRECT TYPE OF
MISTAKE
At Sunday On Sunday Preposition
I play chess good I play chess well Adverb
Last week I cry Last week I cried Past tense
How to spell……? How do you spelt? Auxiliary verbs
What time it is? What time is it? Word order
She is more tall She is taller Comparatives
My car beautiful My car is beautiful The verb
2020 INTERNAL
Example: We won them yesterday’s football match.
Answer: Beat
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1. Kipaila was bitten by a wasp.__________________

2. Simbomba succeeded to winning the chess completion. __________
3. The teacher ordered the learners to keep quite. __________
4. The tourists are interested in seeing a touple of monkeys near the Victoria Falls. _
5. Of the two girls, Clara is the least beautiful.__________
6. Matete, together with three other athletes, have left for Kenya. __________
7. The goat barked when it saw a snake. ___________
8. Having lied in bed for two hours, Dalitso regained consciousness. __________
9. A pig and its kid were stolen yesterday. _____________
10. It’s high time you sell your old car. _______________
11. Hakantu packed his car adjacent to the Headteacher’s office. _____________
12. Kahilu did not participate in the race because her head was paning.____________
13. We look forward to have a chat with you again. ____________
14. A flock of wolves attacked them.______________
15. Let us be calm and wait the outcome. _____________
16. The procurement officer has bought twenty rims of paper for the end of term tests.
___
17. There was barely no water in the tank.___________
18. The guest of owner has just arrive.____________We do not know the route cause
of the problem._____________
2020 INTERNAL ANSWERS
1 Stung 6 Has 11 Parked 16 Reams

2 In 7 Bleated 12 Aching 17 Any
3 Quiet 8 Lain 13 Having 18 Honor
4 Troop 9 Piglet 14 Pack 19 Root
5 Less 10 Sold 15 Await
SPELLINGS
Spelling is the process or activity of writing or naming the correct letters of a words.
Under this section candidate can be asked to select the correct spelling from the options
provided. Usually possible answers are given.
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STANDARD QUESTIONS ON SPELLINGS AND TENSES
GCE 2019 QUESTIONS
1. The head teacher gave me useful___________

A. advice B advices C advise D advises
2. I do not know the bill as the ____________ readings have not yet been taken by
Electricity Supply corporation.
A. Meter B. metre C. metor D. Mitre
3. The receptionist advised us to put all our complaints _________
A. into writing B. into written C. in writing D. in written
4. We are ______ to you for this financial support.
A. grateful B. gratefull C. greatful D. Greatfull
5. The taxi driver was fined by the Police because she _______ traffic rules
A Flauttered B flauted C flirted D floute
STRUCTURE;TRANSFORMATIONS
INVERSION STRUCTURES
Inversion is the change in the normal word order. Most especially when the verb is placed
before its subject.
Inversion simply means putting the subject before the verb.
EXAMPLE
Normal sentence: she is tired. (the subject is “she”. It is before the verb “is”)
Inverted form: Is she tired? (the verb is before the subject “she”. They have changed the
places. This is called inversion.
OTHER INVERSION STRUCTURES
(i) Hardly _____________ (had/did)____________when_____________________

(ii) Scarcely __________________(did/had) ________________ when _________
(iii) Barely __________________ (did/had) ____________ when ___________
(iv) No sooner ________________(had/did) __________ than _______________
(v) On + no ____________ auxiliary verb+ subject ______________
(vi) Under + no+ auxillary+subject____________________
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(vii) Not only + auxillary verb + subject_____ but + pronoun + also ___________
1. Learners are not allowed out of bounds under any circumstances. (2020)
B. Under ___________________________________________________
2. Mary had just left the room when the baby started crying. (2017)
B.Scarcely __________________________________________________
3. Students should not be allowed free access to the staffroom on any account.
B. On ________________________________________________________
4. I have never thought of that at any time. [2012]
B. At no _______________________________________________________
5. We can get sorghum only in Gweembe and Namwala. [2018]
b. Only _________________________________________________________
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
A subject and a verb must agree in number.
Rules to follow when handling subject-verb agreement.
1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular also.

Example
She writes every day.
She is a subject and is singular, writes is a verb and is also singular.
2. If the subject is plural, it means the verb is also supposed to be plural.
Example
They write every day.
They is a plural subject and write is also plural
3. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence
must agree with the subject.
4. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still
agrees with the subject, not the noun or a pronoun in the phrase following the subject.
Example
The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.
29
1. Both Sichula and Yelesani are good at Mathematics (2017 GCE)

B. Sichula, as ___________________________________________________
2. Mr Sibeso and his colleagues were outstanding freedom fighters. (2018 GCE)
B. Mr Sibeso, with _______________________________________________
3. A boy child and a girl child are future leaders. (2019)
B. A boy child, as well _____________________________________________
4. The head teacher and all the prefects are attending a meeting. (2020)
B. The head teacher, as ___________________________________________
5. Chilinda and seven other students were expelled from the university last year.
(2021)
B. Chilinda, with _________________________________________________
DIRECT/REPORTED SPEECH TRANSFORMATIONS
Direct refers to the actual/exactly words spoken by someone.
Indirect speech refers to what someone said, and does not use the actual words. It is
also referred as reported speech.
When changing from direct to reported speech, it is very important to take note of the
changes involving pronouns, tenses, auxiliaries and changes which have to do with
expression of time and place.
Pronoun changes
Pronoun Reported form
I He/she
Me Him/her
My His/her
Mine His/her
Myself Himself/herself
You (Subject) He/she/they
You (Object) Him/her/their
Your His/her/their
Yourself Himself/herself/themselves
This That/the
These Those
Auxiliary verb changes
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Auxiliary Reported form

Is Was
Are Were
Am Was
Can Could
Shall Should
Will Would
Have Had
Has Had
Do Did
Does Did
May Might
Expression of time and place

Direct speech Reported speech
Today That day
Tomorrow The following day/the next day
Yesterday The previous day
Last (week) month The previous week/the last week
Here There
Now Then
Verb Changes
Come – go
Bring – take
Some transformations have question words such as what, where, which, why and
how. These are supposed to appeared on part B of the question if they are there on
part A. However, if/whether maybe used to transformations that do not have question
words.
31
1. “I am here to address your concerns today,” said the human resources officer to
the workers. (2022)
B. The human Resource officer told the workers___________________________
2. “We have been preparing for this tournament since September last year”, they
said. (2021 GCE)
B. They said ______________________________________________________
3. “Carry an umbrella in case it rains today,” said my mother. (2020GCE)
B. My mother advised me __________________________________________
4. Janet said, “I will visit my uncle next month”. (2018GCE)
B. Janet said that _________________________________________________
PASSIVE AND ACTIVE VOICE
Active voice: The subject performs an action; this means that the subject is active.
Passive voice: In passive sentences, the subject is no longer active or the subject is acted
upon by the verb.
Example
Grass (subject) is being eaten (verb) by the cow (object).
ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE

He Him
She Her
They Them
RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN CHANGING FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE VOICE
➢ The sentence must have objects (transitive verb). If there is no object, then there must
be a question word who asks the object.
➢ Object active sentences become the subject of passive sentences.
➢ Subject or active sentences into passive sentences that preceded the object word “by”.
➢ By shows the doer in the sentence.
1. Education uplifts people out of poverty. [2019]
B. People ___________________________________________________________
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2. The cadets apprehended the thief and took him to the police station. [2018]
B. The thief __________________________________________________________
3. The ward is visited regularly by a team of doctors. [2016]
B. A team ____________________________________________________________
4. Teachers blame learners for the poor results at grade twelve. [2013]
B. Learners _____________________________________________________
5. The venue for the party has been arranged by the girls. [2013]
B. The girls ______________________________________________________
CONDITION
1. I will invite him if he invites me. [2020]

B. Unless _______________________________________________________
2. I will give you money only on condition that you come to school. [2006]
B. Unless _________________________________________________________
3. If people play a variety of sports, they will be healthy. [2019]
B. Unless ____________________________________________________________
4. We failed to visit you because the road was bad. [2010]
B. But for ___________________________________________________________
5. Unless you work consistently hard, you will fail the examination.
B. If _______________________________________________________________
NOUN PHRASES (“What” and “that” caluses)
1. The new Head teacher delivered an insipiring speech. [2016]

B. What _____________________________________________________
2. John came. And it is the fact. [2006]
B. that ____________________________________________________________
3. Sugar prices will go up sharply next week. That is unavoidable. [2014]
4. You are a clever girl [2007]
B. What _____________________________________________________________
5. We had a wonderful time at the party. [2006]
B. What ___________________________________________________________
KEY TIPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ANSWERING STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS
➢ Scarcely and hardly are followed by when.
33
➢ “Though” is followed by “yet”.

➢ Much is used before uncountable nouns while “many” is used before countable
nouns.
➢ Unless is always used in the negative sense. It expresses a condition. Not is never
used with unless.
➢ The word “whose” is used to address living entities and the word “which is used for
lifeless objects.
➢ No sooner is followed by than.
IRREGULAR VERBS
VERB PAST TENSE PAST PARTICIPLE

Be Was/were Been
Begin Began Begun
Build Build Built
Drive Drove Driven
Eat Ate Eaten
Do Did Done
Draw Drew Drawn
Lead Led Led
See Saw Seen
Take Took Taken
Teach Taught Taught
Speak Spoke spoken
Write Wrote written
Wear Won worn
IRREGULAR PLURAL NOUNS
1. Child – Children 14. Person – People

2. Woman – Women 15. Apex – Apices
3. Ox – Oxen 16. Mouse – Mice
4. Man – Men 17. Bacterium – Bacteria
34
5. Sheep – Sheep 18. Nucleus – Nuclei

6. Fish – Fish 19. Ovum – Ova
7. Leaf – Leaves
8. Index – Indices
9. Tooth – Teeth
10. Foot – Feet
11. Wife – Wives
12. Knife – Knives
13. Life – Lives
PROVERBS
A proverb is a saying, usually short that expresses a general truth about life.
1. Actions speaking louder than 14. Let the sleeping dog lie: don’t talk
words: What you do is more about a bad situation which people
important than what you say. have already forgotten.
2. A bird in hand is worth two in the 15. Money talks: Money gives one
bush: Things we have are more power and influence.
valuable than what we hope to get. 16. Never taste the depth of the water
3. A fool and his money are soon with both feet: If you are in water
parted: Foolish people do not know with both feet down, you risk being
how to hold on to their money. swept away by the currents.
4. Not all that glitters is gold: Things 17. People who live in glass houses
that look good outwardly may not be shouldn’t throw stones at others:
as valuable or good. People who have faults should not
5. Among the blind one eyed man is a criticize other people for having the
king.: An incapable person can gain same faults.
powerful position if others in the fray 18. Two heads are better than one:
are even more incapable. Two persons have a better chance to
6. An idle mind is the devil’s solve a problem than one.
workshop: If you have nothing to do, 19. Love is blind: A person who is blind
you will likely think of mischief. in love fails to see any faults in the
person he or she falls in love with.
35
7. A stitch in times saves nine: It’s 20. Love conquers all: This proverb
better to deal with problems means that love is the strongest force
immediately rather wait by when they in the world, and nothing can over
worsen and become much bigger. power it.
8. Barking dogs seldom bite: People 21. There is a thin line between love
who appear threating rarely do harm and hate: This means that the
9. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: difference between loving someone
What may seem beautiful to one and hating them can sometimes be a
person may not seem to another. little more unclear than many would
10. Blood is thicker than water: like to admit.
Relationships with family (or blood 22. An empty vessel makes much noise:
relatives) is stronger than other foolish or stupid people are the most
relationships./ bonds of family are talkative.
stronger than any other type of 23. Actions speak louder than words:
relationship. what one does is more important than
11. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: what one says.
Don’t act badly towards the person
who you at some point.
12. Don’t judge a book by its cover:
You can’t form an opinion by
looking at the cover of the book.
13. Good things come to those who
wait: with patience good things
come.
36
IDIOMS
An idiom is a word or a phrase that has a hidden meaning.
1. Through thick and thin: At all 9. Walk in the other’s shoes: To

times both good and bad times. understand what the other is going
2. Call it a day: to stop doing through.
something. 10. Every cloud has a silver lining:
3. Better late than never: To do There is always some good in
something rather than not doing. everything that happens.
4. Leave no stone unturned: To take 11. Bite off more than you can chew:
every effort possible to achieve to do more than you can.
something. 12. Put all your eggs in one basket:
5. Hit the nail on the head: To do Doing something risky
something the exact way in which it
should be done/ giving a direct
answer.
6. Spill the beans: Reveal a secret
7. Come rain or shine: No matter
what happens.
8. Every dog has its day: Everyone
gets a chance.
APPLICATION OF IDIOMS AND PROVERBS
The idioms and proverbs are very important as they come in paper one of the grade 12
Examinations. Proverbial or idiomatic questions come under section A free style
composition.
Example
Write a story with of the following tiles
(a) One eyed man is a hero among the blind (2022)

(b) Love is blind (2018)
The above question requires that a candidate should understand the meaning of the
proverb and creates a story related to the idiom or proverb.
37
This means a candidate is allowed to create his own story related to the given idiom or
proverb.
SUMMARY
Summary is the short form of a longer text or a passage. It is also defined as the brief account
of a longer text or a passage.
TYPES OF SUMMARY
1. Note Summary: This is a type of summary that is written in point form.

2. Prose Summary: This is a type of summary that is written in paragraph form.
However, this type of a summary is written in a single paragraph. This type of a
summary is derived from the note/points gathered by a candidate.
At grade 12 level the candidates are going to be asked to write any given summary in
prose form.
REASONS WHY PUPILS FAIL SUMMARY.
➢ Failure to understand what the passage is talking about.
➢ Failure to understand the demands of the summary questions.
➢ Failure to stick to the points required from the passage. Sometimes candidates
tend to write the points which have not been mentioned in the passage
➢ Failure to identify the points which are relevant. This is caused by the above
mentioned reasons.
➢ Writing more than or less than the required number of words.
STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ANSWERING ANY GIVEN SUMMARY.
1. Read the passage so that you can understand it. And then read the question
at the end.
2. Or you can begin by reading the question so that you can understand the
demands of the question.
3. After you have understood the demands of the question, you can go back
to the passage.
4. Using a pencil to underline only the relevant key points.
5. Make sure that you come up with 20 points since the question is marked
out of 20 mark.
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6. Ignore the irrelevant points and concentrate on the points you have
underlined.
7. Join the points in order to come up with a prose summary.
8. Write only one paragraph unless otherwise stated.
9. At the end it is very important to go through your work in order to proof
read the work.
STANDARD SUMMARY QUESTION [2014]
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the question that follows.
1. Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against blood vessel walls. Blood
pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury and physicians classify patients
as hypertensive when their blood pressure is above 140/90.
2. What makes blood pressure increase? Imagine that you are watering your garden.
By opening the faucet or by reducing the calibre or diameter of the jet of water,
you increase the pressure of the water. The same occurs with blood pressure.
Increasing the rate of flow of blood or decreasing the calibre of the blood vessel
elevates the blood pressure. How does high blood pressure occur? Many factors
are involved.
3. Researchers have discovered that if a person has relatives with high blood
pressure, his chances of suffering from the disease are greater. Statistics indicate
a higher incidence of hypertension in identical twins than in fraternal twins. One
study refers to the "mapping of the genes responsible for arterial hypertension,"
all of which would confirm the existence of a hereditary component responsible
for high blood pressure. The risk of abnormally high blood pressure is also known
to increase with age and to be greater among black males.
4. Watch your diet! Salt (sodium) can boost blood pressure in some people,
especially people with diabetes, those with severe hypertension, older people and
some blacks. Excess fat in the blood stream can create deposits of cholesterol on
the internal walls of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) thus, reducing their calibre
and increasing blood pressure. People who are more than 30 percent above their
ideal body weight are liable to have high blood pressure. Studies suggest that
increasing the intake of potassium and calcium may lower blood pressure.
5. Smoking is related to a greater risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart attack and
stroke. That being so, smoking and high blood pressure are a dangerous
combination that can lead to cardiovascular disease. Although the evidence is
contradictory, caffeine contained in coffee, tea and cola drinks — and emotional
and physical stress may also aggravate high blood pressure. In addition, scientists
know that intensive or chronic consumption of alcoholic drinks and lack of
physical activity can increase blood pressure.
39
6. It would be a mistake to wait for high blood pressure to develop before taking
positive steps. A healthful lifestyle should be a concern from an early age. For
the obese, researchers recommend a balanced low calorie diet, avoiding fast and
"miracle" diets while maintaining a programme of moderate physical exercise.
With regard to salt, they suggest a consumption of no more than six grams or one
teaspoon per day. In practice, that means cutting to a minimum the use of salt in
food preparation, as well as minimising canned foods, cold cuts and smoked
foods. Salt intake can also be reduced by refraining from adding extra salt during
meals and by checking the packaging of processed foods to see how much salt
has been added.
Question
In not more than 110 words, explain the causes of high blood pressure and
outline ways in which it can be controlled. Your answer should be based on the
passage. The summary has been started for you.
There are so many causes of high blood pressure. Among them are
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
EXPECTED POINTS
1. increase in the rate of flow of blood,

2. decrease in the caliber of the blood vessel
3. due to the cholesterol deposits on the internal walls of the blood vessels.
4. Heredity and being a black male,
5. increase with age,
6. excess salt intake
7. can boost blood pressure especially to people with diabetes.
8. Obesity and smoking,
9. caffeine, emotional
10. and physical stress may also aggravate high blood pressure.
11. Intensive
12. or chronic consumption of alcohol
13. and lack of physical activity also lead to hypertension.
Control measures include:
14. living a healthy lifestyle,
15. having a balanced low-calorie diet,
16. avoid fast and „miracle‟ diets,
17. moderate physical exercise,
40
18. reduction in salt intake,

19. increase in potassium
20. and calcium intake
MODEL ANSWER
There are many causes of high blood pressure. Among them are the increase in the rate of
flow of blood, decrease in the caliber of the blood vessel due to the cholesterol deposits on the
internal walls of the blood vessels. Heredity and being a black male, increase with age, excess
salt intake can boost blood pressure especially to people with diabetes. Obesity and smoking,
caffeine, emotional and physical stress may also aggravate high blood pressure. Intensive or
chronic consumption of alcohol and lack of physical activity also lead to hypertension. Control
measures include: living a healthy lifestyle, having a balanced low-calorie diet, avoid fast and
miracle diets, moderate physical exercise, reduction in salt intake, increase in potassium and
calcium intake.
TASK
SUMMARY 2020 GCE QUESTION
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
1. Do you cherish your life? Then take good care of yourself for good health is the centre
of staying alive. “Health”, wrote Gorge Orwell, “is primary duty”. Good health must
be top of your priorities. You may want to do some charity work at a certain orphanage.
You may want to study and get rich but alas, none of these can be achieved well if you
mess your health.
2. Therefore, work out as much as you can, push-ups, and press ups will not cost you a
ngwee. Take long walks, do some swimming, do a bit of jogging and aerobics whenever
possible. Engage in physical sport like football and netball.
3. With regards to food, eat food rich in fibre, eat a balanced diet and cut down on junk
and refined food. All drinks and drugs that do not benefit your body or mind mock your
senses and make you deteriorate into beasts. Eat a fruit and if possible more a day and
remember that, by fruit we do not mean apples only but also mangoes, bananas, paw-
paws. Oranges and lemons are good fruits and very good for your body. Eat and enjoy
fruit now. Otherwise you will find even the sweetest orange bitter when you are lying
ill in the intensive care unit.
4. About 70% of fluids in the body consists of water. It is imperative for you to drink at
least six mugs of water a day. Also you will not go wrong by taking a health fruit drink.
41
Eight hours of sleep is vital to your wellbeing, for it is at night that we rest and sleep
that our bodies get, so to speak, serviced, re-energised and repaired to face the
challenges of another tomorrow. During the day, we can work as much as we want but
when night falls, it is best that we go to bed.
5. Day for work, night for rest. God was no fool when he designed life that way. If your
workload cannot allow you to rest for eight hours straight at night, then six hours is
second option. If you really love your life, do not, except under serious pressure, break
the six. It is also important to take short breaks to relax away from your job from time
to time.
6. A body, like a machine, needs routine checks to find out its condition. A person who
cares about good health will from time to time visit clinic or hospital for a routine check-
up. It is also advisable for one to get up and to go to the clinic as soon as one feels that
something is amiss. Otherwise they will rush you to hospital on a stretcher, although it
will be too late to help you then. Keeping your teeth clean also keeps you healthy. Even
a small leak can sink a big ship. No wonder the saying “prevention is better than cure’.
According to the author, what should one do to enjoy good health? Present a well-
connected summary of not more than 120 words.
In order to enjoy good health, you should
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
42
COMPREHENSION
Is the ability to read the text, process it and understand its meaning.
TYPES OF COMPREHENSION
1. Inferencing: They require obvious details than factual. Sometimes the details may
not be directly stated in the passage. Require to understand hidden meaning that is
suggested. Pupils can use clues from phrases which suggest these hidden meanings
2. Lexical questions: Refers to questions that has to with the understanding key
vocabulary in the text. E.g What does the word entranced mean?
3. Factual questions: These focus on obvious detail from the passage. They tend to ask
factual details from the passage.
4. Vocabulary in context: Such questions requires the use of a phrase/word that has the
same meaning as…..
Sometimes candidates are asked to find the words with opposite meanings
5. Literal questions: Refers to questions which answers who, what, when and where
questions. E.g Where did the Cinderella go to live at the end of the story?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
➢ Read the passage so that you can understand the passage.

➢ Read and understand the demand of each question before answering any question.
➢ Eliminate the distractors to the multiple choice questions until you remain with one
correct answers.
STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTION
COMPREHENSION 2022 INTERNAL QUESTION

2. The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt prised mushrooms as a delicacy. They decreed them
as a preserve of the royal family and that no commoner could even touch them.
According to Egyptians, mushrooms were part of immortality. As for the ancient
Greeks, they believed that mushrooms empowered their warriors for battle.
3. People all over the world enjoy eating mushrooms. Noel, burly Australian, is a
microbiologist and a mushroom expert. He studied mushroom cultivation in several
countries before returning to grow them commercially. Mushrooms are fungi, a
family of organisms that include mildews and moulds. Biologists formerly thought
that fungi were plants but it is now known that they are very different from plants.
43
4. Mushrooms palatability is obviously subjective. However, mushrooms have a

unique texture and flavour that is not found in other foods. They are quite good for
consumption. They also have an amino acid profile that rivals beans.
5. Fungi differ from plants and animals on how they obtain their food. They do not
manufacture their food through photosynthesis as they do nearly all other plants.
They grow in the dark. Their bodies secrete powerful enzymes. These enzymes
convert organic material into basic nutrients which they absorb as food. This unique
digestive process distinguishes fungi from animals. Since fungi are neither plants
nor animals biologists now classify them in the realm of their own, the fungi
kingdom.
6. Much of the increase in mushroom production is due to the development of high
yield systems. These systems depends on exact environmental controls. High yields
and rapid production cycles with most mushroom species require specialised
facilities. In the wild, mature mushrooms release millions of tiny spores mix with
plenty of food, they can grow into new mushrooms. Commercial mushrooms
growers aim to replicate this process using controlled condition to improve crop
yields and quality.
7. There are thousands of types of mushroom. These mushroom varieties require
different growing conditions. Mushrooms can be cultivated using different
methods. For example, white or button mushrooms grow best on pasteurised farm
compost. Some varieties flourish in bags of plant waste. Others in bottles of cereal
grains and whole wooden logs or logs of compressed saw dust.
8. It can be very dangerous to gather mushrooms in the wild. The death cap mushroom
(Amanita Phalloides) among closely resembles edible varieties, yet is deadly. Never
eat mushrooms from the wild unless they are examined by an expert and certified
safe to eat. Commercially grown varieties are safe to consume. They are in fact
delicious treats that were once reserved for the royal.
Questions
(i) In paragraph, the ancient Greeks attached a lot of value to mushrooms
because they were ____________
A. a preserve of a royal family
B. Believed to be food for commoners
C. Believed to make warriors stronger in war.
D. Served only on special occasions
(ii) According to paragraph 2, Noel is _________Australian.
A. A determined and famous
B. A huge and strong
C. An ambitious and calm
D. An enthusiastic and industrious
(iii)It is indicated in Paragraph 2 that drew his inspiration from some studies
_____
A. Conducted in different countries
B. On commercial farming in Australia.
C. On consumers of mushrooms
D. On cultivations done in a few countries.
44
(iv) According to paragraph 3, the palatability of mushrooms is said to be

influenced by ________
A. Egypt
B. Majority
C. Personal
D. Royal
(v) In paragraph 4, mushrooms are considered to be different from other plants
because ________
A. Of the way they make their food.
B. They can convert organic material into food.
C. They have an extraordinary digestive system.
D. They secrete powerful enzymes
(vi) The word ‘them’ in paragraph 4 refers to _____________
A. Animals
B. Biologists
C. Fungi
D. Plants
(vii) In paragraph 5, uncultivated mushrooms can be produced when
_______
A. Controlled commercial conditions are met.
B. Fully grown mushroom spores mix with others.
C. Precise environmental conditions are met.
D. Required specialised facilities are provided
(viii) In paragraph 6, we deduce that white mushrooms grow best in

________
A. Bags of pasteurised plant waste
B. Bacteria-free farm compost.
C. Bacteria-rich farm compost.
D. Logs of compressed saw dust.
(ix) What conclusion can be drawn from paragraph 7?
A. All mushrooms are deadly.
B. All wild mushrooms should never be eaten.
C. Commercially grown mushrooms are barely safe to consume.
D. Not all mushrooms are safe to eat.
(x) From the underlined words in the passage, find one word which means the
same or nearly the same as the following words or phrases.
(I) Domain of activity _____________________________
(II) Do similar fashion______________________________
(III) Decayed organic material______________________
(IV) Pleasantness___________________________________
45
2022 INTERNAL COMPREHENSIONS
1 C 6 C
2 B 7 B
3 A 8 B
4 C 9 D
5 A 10 (v) Realm
(vi) Replicate
(vii) Compost
(viii) Palatability
TASK
QUESTION 2 COMPREHENSION 2010 QUESTION

1. Ben Franklin said the only sure things in life are death and taxes. He left something out, however:
disappointment. No one gets through life without experiencing any disappointment. They are
unwelcome but regular visitors to everyone's life. Strangely, though, most people seem unprepared for
disappointments and react to them in negative ways. They feel depressed or try to escape their troubles
instead of using them as an opportunity for growth as we can see in the characters of the following three
people:
2. Helen, a woman trying to win a promotion, works hard for over a year in her department. Helen is so
sure that she will get the promotion, in fact, she has already picked out the car she will buy when her
salary increase comes through. However, the boss names one of Helen's co-workers to the post. The
fact that all the other departmental employees tell Helen that she is the one who really deserved the
promotion does not help her to deal with the crushing disillusionment. Deeply depressed, Helen decides
that all her goals are doomed to defeat. She loses her enthusiasm for the job and can barely force herself
to show up every day. She decides that doing a good job isn't worth the work.
3. Jamal fails to get into the college his brother is attending; the college that was the focus of his dreams
from childhood. He crossly decides not to worry about it. "Why worry about college at all?" he asks
himself. Instead he conceals his real state of mind by giving up on his school work and getting
completely involved with friends, parties and 'good times'. Similarly, Carla doesn't make it to be part of
the university basketball team, something she wanted very badly. She refuses to take part in all sports
at all. She chooses to hang around with a set of new friends who 'get high' every day, then she won't
have to confront reality.
4. The best way to react to besetting experiences is by trying to use them as a chance for growth or by
trying to exploit other available options. This may not be easy, but it's the only useful way to deal with
46
an inevitable part of life. If your boss does not recognise your talents or hard work, you could perhaps
transfer to another department, or you may ask the boss how best you could improve your performance
to be eligible for future recognition. Not being promoted, or being turned down by one school or college,
isn't a final judgement on your abilities or potential. You could easily go to another school or college.
The first choice is not necessarily the best. If you cannot be promoted now, or if you cannot be taken
on and included in the sport you badly need now, you just need to be patient. You may decide to continue
improving your skills in that job or that sport for some time, or you may pick up another career or sport.
5. In the face of trouble or frustration, man's natural reaction is not to ask the right questions, but to
complain, despair, give up and blame other people. This negative spirit drives away friends and other
people because nobody wants to hang around a person who has a self-pitying, pessimistic outlook on
life. The question to ask in the face of disappointments is not "Why me?" but "What next?" because
everyone has their unique share of these in life. Problems and disappointments should lead to better and
not bitter resolutions. It is not easy, however, to ask "What next?" when the heart is breaking. But it
should be comforting to realise that everyone is struggling with their own private setbacks.
6. When strong hope and faith collide with unexpected negative realities, when prayers seem not to be
answered and when long cherished dreams are suddenly shattered, disappointment, followed by
frustration is often the result. This should not be so. One ought to step over the unwelcome visitor and
get on with life, because whether one likes it or not, and with or without unfulfilled desires, life
continues. Some people think that following Christ will give them special immunity against troubles,
that getting a higher degree will guarantee a good job or a promotion that being beautiful promises a
good marriage and that being rich will bring lasting peace and satisfaction. While these expectations
are not evil, it is dangerous to think and expect things to work out like that. Such expectations are a
recipe for serious frustrations in the face of the unexpected turn of events. It is safer to view life as a
series of surmountable disappointments. Life can certainly appear that way because setbacks crop up
more often in the life of everyone, it seems, than satisfaction.
QUESTIONS
1. According to Paragraph 1, Ben Franklin says___________
A. disappointments are bound to come in life.
B. death and taxes are welcome in life.

C. death, taxes and disappointments are bound to come in life.
D. death and taxes are bound to come in life.
2. In paragraph 2 we are told that Helen was disappointed mainly because
________
A. other workers in the department told her that she was the one who
deserved to be promoted.
B. everybody knew that she was a hard-working woman.
C. she realised that everything else she might try to do in life would fail.
D. she was so sure of being promoted soon that she even made plans for it.
3. 'Helen decides that doing a good job isn't just worth the work’. This sentence
means doing a good job is ____________
A. not equal to the work.
B. not fairly rewarded.
47
C. wasting time.
D. painful.
4. According to Paragraph 3, 'good times' means Times ________
A. that help one to forget their troubles.
B. for getting involved with friends and attending parties.

C. of questionable goodness.
D. for fun and merry making.
5. According to Paragraph 4, being denied a chance to do what you desire means
giving you the opportunity to _______________________
A. grow into an experienced and wise adult.
B. try other things or to perfect your talents.
C. examine your life properly and improve.
D. perfect your talents and attitude.
6. It is wrong, according to the passage, to ask, "Why me?" when you are faced with
situations that are disappointing. This is because such questions lead to _______
A. self-pity and surrender.
B. blaming other people
C. friends and other people running away from you.
D. more problems in life.
7. People keep away from a person with a negative outlook on life and who is
always complaining probably because _________
A. complaining is by its very nature painful to the hearers.
B. they get tired of hearing the complaints every time they meet.
C. one should either try to be positive about life or should be left alone.
D. they don't know how to encourage such a person.
8. According to Paragraph 6, who is referred to as 'the unwelcome visitor'?
A. Someone who likes complaining.
B. Immunity against troubles.
C. Dreams.
D. Disappointment.
9. It may be good to consider life as a series of surmountable setbacks principally
because ___________
A. disappointments and setbacks follow each other as a sort of series in life.
B. such an attitude can assist one to accept disappointments as normal.
C. everyone experiences disappointments.
D. it can assist one to acquire maturity and growth.
10. Choose the underlined words in the passage that mean the same or nearly the
same as the ones below. Write the words against each word or phrase.
A. can be overcome _____________________
48
B. interest _____________________________
C. unavoidable _________________________
D. promise ____________________________
49
QUOTES
All great achievement require time
Life is like an onion. You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
Time is the father of truth; its mother is our mind.
Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.
If you judge people you have no time to love them.
Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.
Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself.
There is no success without hardships.
My enemies live long to see my success.
WATCH-OUT FOR VOLUME FOUR (4) COMPOSITION

WRITING TOPICS AND EXAMINATION TIPS FOR
ENGLISH PAPER ONE
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Hermann Gmeiner Secondary School Livingstone District Ronex Hamalambo

THE MASTER KEY TO SUCCESS IN SENIOR

GRADE 10-12 (ZAMBIAN SYLUBUS)

➢ STRUCURE- KEY POINTS, SUMMARY & COMPREHENSION

HERMANN GMEINER SECONDARY SCHOOL– LIVINGSTONE

NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM

EXAMINATION TIPS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2

SAMPLES OF QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE IN PAPER 2

Candidates are required to recall

QUESTION 2: COMPREHENSION Expected answers

2021 INTERNAL TRANSFORMATION ANALYSIS

(no comma is required between intervened and was).

( Do not accept; I wish I sought the doctor’s advice)

A. He didn’t perform well although he studied hard.

TYPES OF CLOZE TESTS

STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTION GCE 2O21

GCE 2021- CLOZE PASSAGE

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.

WORD SYNONYM ANTONYM

16 Invention Creation Elimination/wipeout

STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTION 2020 VOCABULARY / GCE

Example: Many factories suffered substantial damage last year.

1. That is the latest invention by the famous professor_______________

15. The children take after their father. (respect,like,love,resemble)

2020 GCE VOCABULARY

1. Creation 6 Stopped 11 Allow 16 Succeeded

2017 STRUCTURE: VOCABULARY

10. An old friend of mine called at my office yesterday. (visited,telephoned,shouted at,

COLLECTIVE NOUNS FOR ANIMALS

A collective noun is the name of a collection of nouns.

ANIMAL BABY NAME SOUND GROUP NAME HABITAT FEMALE Male

OTHER COLLECTIVE NOUNS

A Quiver of arrows A gang of prisoners A herd/xeal or cohot of

STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1. I saw three sheeps at the park last week. ________[2010]

1. Alight from- To get down from a STANDARD ECZ QUESTIONS

26. - wait for a short time.

Pronouns takes the place of a noun in a sentence. e.g he/she, I etc.

A verb is a doing word e.g walk, eat, swim etc.

An Adjective is a word that describes a noun e.g handsome or beautiful.

A conjuction joins words or phrases in a sentence. e.g but, and, while

1. Borrow, Lend, Loan, Lease

STANDARD QUESTIONS BASED ON THE TOPIC [2018]

2018 STRUCTURE: INTERNAL ANSWERS

4 Cite 9 Bald 14 Foul

Letter – B is the second letter of

1. She doesn’t know how to cook. does she?

However, some question tags are imperatives.

Imperatives are commands or requests.

1. Take a seat, will you?

STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

2. Between and Among

STANDARD QUESTIONS ON PREPOSITIONS 2022 GCE

GCE 2022 ANSWERS

Who’s is a contraction of who Use that when you are talking

Use less for things that can’t

TYPES OF GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES

COMMON GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES

STANDARD EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

Example: We won them yesterday’s football match.

1. Kipaila was bitten by a wasp.__________________

1 Stung 6 Has 11 Parked 16 Reams

STANDARD QUESTIONS ON SPELLINGS AND TENSES

GCE 2019 QUESTIONS

(i) Hardly _ (had/did)when_________