First Semester

2023-2024
English

Name: …………………………… Diagnostic Exam Day & Date: ……….

Class & Section: ………………… Duration: ……………

Exam’s Skills Objectives Maximum Total Mark

Mark

Reading Being able to read a comprehension passage and 10

analyze its main and supporting ideas.

Use of Language Being able to showcase mastery of English 10

grammar and sentence structure to effectively
communicate in written and spoken contexts.

Writing Bing able to compose clear and coherent emails 10

with appropriate tone, structure, and language
conventions for various professional and personal
communication purposes.

30
Student’s Mark

Dear students, read the following before you answer:

1. Read and understand the questions very well.
2. Answer the most convenient questions first.
3. Keep your work neat, tidy and clear.
4. Revise your work before handing in your paper.
 Part One: Reading Comprehension [10 points]

Question 1: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions below:

The Mystery Arrival of Antarctic Seals in South Africa

On the 28 January 2021, the SPCA received reports of a seal resting on some rocks on the beach at
Ramsgate in KwaZulu-Natal. On closer inspection, they were . amazed to discover that the seal was
a Crabeater seal. What made this discovery so surprising is that Crabeater seals live along the coast of
Antarctica and this is only the third time in the last 4 years that one has been spotted on the coast of
KwaZulu-Natal. Concerned for the seal’s safety and his condition so far from home, the SPCA members
caught him and took him through to uShaka Marine World where he would be able to receive treatment
from their veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen, should he need it.
Catching him proved an easier task than expected as animals who live in Antarctica have not
developed a fear of humans as they never come into contact with them. Even stranger than the Crabeater
arriving in Ramsgate was a second Crabeater seal arriving in East London on the same day! When the
seal arrived at uShaka he was checked over by Dr Lampen, who happily reported that although the sub-
adult seal was stressed from the trip, he was not ill or hurt so he was admitted to a rehabilitation pool to
rest. The staff named him Ragnar after the legendary Viking hero, Ragnar Lothbrok.
Looking after Ragnar proved to be quite tricky as, contrary to their name, Crabeater seals don’t eat crabs
but feed off the krill that are available in huge numbers in
the Southern Ocean. This meant that the rehabilitation team at uShaka had to be very creative in the
methods they used to feed him fish each day. At first, he didn’t recognize the pieces of defrosted fish as
food so the team tried feeding him in the dark. This idea worked as his curiosity got the better of him and
soon he was eating up to 3kg of fish a day! The team discovered that his favorite food is Corvina (a type
of fish) and squid.
The rehabilitation team also introduced ice blocks into his area, both in and out of the water. This helped
Ragnar feel right at home; he enjoyed resting by the ice and playing with the blocks in the water. When
Ragnar first arrived, he spent most of his day sleeping but as his strength returned, he started showing an
interest in what the staff were doing. He always kept an eye out for the cooler box which meant food was
on its way; this prompted the staff to change their routine, not allowing Ragnar to see them when they fed
him so that he didn’t start associating people with food. On the 18th of February 2021, Ragnar was strong
enough to start his trip back to Antarctica.
The journey began with a flight from Virginia Airport to Port Elizabeth and then onto Bay world for the
final preparations for his trip the next day. Ragnar and Sebastian, the other Crabeater seal that arrived in
East London, were both taken by boat out to the Agulhas current to be released. It was hoped that the pair
would be able to ride the current to help them get back to Antarctica. Before they were released, both seals
were fitted with satellite tags. The tags were to track their movements to help the team learn more about
Crabeater seals and hopefully help solve the mystery of how these two ended up so far from home.
 Q.1 In which province is this passage set?
a. Western Cape
b. Cape Town
c. Durban
d. KwaZulu-Natal
Q. 2 Which two organizations were responsible for taking care of Ragnar?
a. SPCA
b. uShaka Marine World
c. Both a+b
d. Port Elizabeth

Q. 3 What is Dr. Francois Lampen’s role at uShaka?

Q. 4 Who is Sebastian?
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Q.5 Why is the arrival of Crabeater seals in South Africa surprising?
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Q. 6 Underline the abstract noun in the following sentence.
The researchers were touched by Ragnar’s bravery.
Q. 7 Rewrite the following sentence in indirect speech.
“We will be releasing the seals tomorrow,” reported Dr. Lampen.
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Q.8 Look at the sentence below and identify the required adverbs.
Ragnar was fed slowly every evening until he recovered.
a. Adverb of time ____________
b. Adverb of manner _____________
Q. 9 Crabeater seals have been misnamed. Explain this statement.
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Q. 10 What problem did the team discover as Ragner regained his strength?
 Part Two: Use of Language [10 points]
1. Which verb is created when these suffixes are added to the noun? Write the correct
verb for each example.
a. class+-ify ____________________
b. advert+ -ise ___________________
c. assassin + -ate ___________________

2. Read this sentence. What type of word is underlined? Choose one.

That’s the lady who teaches me to play the drums.
a. Possessive pronoun
b. Relative pronoun
c. Personal pronoun

3. Read the following sentence. Underline the error and correct it.
That behavior is unrespectful. __________________________________

4. Add brackets, dashes or commas where needed for the following sentence.

The Chef who was very famous visited our school to show us how to cook his favorite dish.

5. Use each prefix once to make the verbs in the sentences below negative. Write your answers
in the space.
de mis dis

I think I must have ______heard you. I have to _____agree with your views on this. We need to
_____construct the rocket immediately.

6. Underline the relative clause in the sentence below.

My cousin, who has completed the London Marathon many times, is a very talented runner.

7. Match the verbs to the correct prefix.

dis appoint

over visit

er compensate
8. Choose the correct adverb that shows we will watch a movie today.
We will _____________ be able to see the movie today.
a. probably b. definitely c. perhaps

9. Read the sentences below. Circle one sentence that uses commas correctly.

a. It’s unlikely, that we will be able to visit Gran Auntie Jane and Tim all in one
afternoon.
b. It’s unlikely that we will be able to visit Gran, Auntie Jane and Tim all in one
afternoon.
c. It’s unlikely that we will be able to visit Gran Auntie Jane, and Tim all in one
afternoon.

10. What type of word is underlined? Choose one.

This is the book that I was telling you about.

a. possessive pronoun b. relative pronoun

 Part Three: Writing [10 points]

Your classmates chose you to discuss with the school’s principal the possibility of arranging a bake
sale at school.
Write an email to your school’s principal. Remember when you write to:
• Greet the principal properly.
• Explain the reasons why you all agree to have a bake sale. What are the advantages?
• Suggest a day and time for this bake sale.
Write up to 100 words.

Write the email below.

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