-2-

Items 1-5

Instructions: Each sentence in this section has ONE underlined word. Choose from the four
suggested answers the word which is nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word.

1. Their actions showed that they were firm 4. She paid meticulous attention to her work as
in their rejection of the new law. she attached the beads to the costume.

(A) ignorance (A) scant

(B) application (B) careful
(C) acceptance (C) detailed
(D) understanding (D) cautious

2. The views expressed by Mr Jones were 5. As a result of the available evidence, the
inconsistent with those of the committee. accused was apprehended and no further
action was taken.
(A) compatible
(B) challenging (A) evicted
(C) unpredictable (B) released
(D) irreconcilable (C) cautioned
(D) summoned

3• Every effort was made to ensure his arrival.

(A) avoid
(B) predict
(C) analyse
(D) jeopardize
 -3-

Items 6- 10

Instructions: Select the option A, B, C or D that BEST describes EACH of the sentences and mark
your choice on the answer sheet.

(A) The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
(B) The sentence contains cliches or misused metaphors.
(C) The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
(D) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.

6. He quickly reversed back the car into the street to avoid being hit by the oncoming vehicle.

7. The new disciplinary methods had a positive affect on the students' behaviour.

8. She had adequate time to prepare for the interview.

9. We must ensure that we do not put the cart before the horse in this matter.

10. The manager decided that between the three departments, mine functioned the best.
 -4-

Items 11-15
·
Instructions: Some of the following sentences are unaccep table because ofinappropria
d N t
te grammar
'
"d" .
1 mm, punctuation or spelling. Some sentences are accep table as they stan . o sen ence contains
more than one inappropriate element.

Select the ONE underlined part that you feel is inappropriate and choose th e correspo nd ing letter.
If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D. Mark your choice on th e answer sheet.

11. She is one of the thousands of babies who are diagnosed with that disease. No error
w ~ ~ ~

12. When the museum purchased his paintings the artist had to respond to many complements.
w ~ ~
No error
(D)

13. The reciept of his letter assured me that such an incident would not be tolerated. No error
(A) (B) (C) (D)

14. The secretary had made up a callendar of events but there was not enough stationery to give each
w ~ ~
member a copy. No error
D

15. It is my privilege to give you some advise concerning proper nutrition. No error
(A) (B) (C) (D)
 -5-

Hems 16- 20

follow it. Do
Instructions: Revise each of the following sentences according to the directions that
A to D, for the word or phrase
not change the meanin g of the original sentence. Look at the options,
that BEST suits the revised sentence and mark your choice on the answer sheet.

16. In your lravels you will meet people of 19. These students are hard-working as well as
differenl cultures . respectful.

Begin the sentenc e with Begin the sentence with

Your travels Not only

(A) expose you to (A) and

(B) submit you to (B) though
(C) burdene d with (C) rather than
(D) be invited with (D) but they are also

17. More is experienced in one day of the life 20. The cricket match ended abruptly when
of a learned man than an ignoran t man many of the spectators stormed the field.
experiences in his whole lifetime.
Begin the sentence with
Begin the sentenc e with
Many of the spectators stormed
A learned man
(A) so
more experienced in one day (B) but
(A)
experiences more in one day (C) getting
(B)
experienced more in one day (D) preventing
(C)
(D) has more experience in one day

18. She found, even after she had made several

attempt s to regulate the sprinkler, that the
water was still reachin g the furniture on the
veranda h.

Begin the sentenc e with

Having made

(A) she found that

(B) and finding that
(C) she had found that
(D) she was finding that
 -6-

Items 21-25

Instructions: Each of the sentences in this section has one underlined word. Choose from the four
options the word which is NEAREST IN MEANING to the underlined word.

21. It was impossible to rectify the error 24. The news story revealed the squalor of the
made by the computer since inaccurate old prison cells.
information had been fed into it.
(A) security
(A) alter (B) strength
(B) erase (C) ambiance
(C) correct (D) filthiness
(D) determine

25. During the final stages of the trial, a new

22. The flowers grow profusely in the garden. witness was called to corroborate the
testimony of the accused.
(A) wildly
(B) healthily (A) refute
(C) abundantly (B) clarify
(D) colourfully (C) support
(D) conclude

23. The bank teller indicated that our account

was dormant.

(A) inactive
(B) inadequate
( C) transferred
(D) overdrawn
 -7-

NOT HING HAS BEEN OMITTED.

GO ON TO THE NEX T PAGE

 - 8-

Items 26--33

Instructions: Read the following poem carefully and then answer Items 26--33 on the basis of what
is stated or implied.

Axed Man

"Bad-bad case of sugar:

They had to cut him down."
The old man sits upright, rigid
Spine straight against heaped pillows.
s He grips the bedclothes on both sides.
Big-torsoed, bull-necked, muscled man
Wears faded-red, short pyjama pants
Just folding over both new bandaged stumps.
No toes, no feet, no shins, no legs
to No knees to kneel on any longer
To pray to God for mercy, rest,
Yesterday they "cut him down" again
But still an obscure stink prevails.

Matron knows his story: strong once,

15 A timber man, big as the trees he killed.
He lived in forests and towered over men,
A rollicking and famous working man
Ten times won at Mashramani° time
Who could chop a great tree down the fastest.
20 He logged purple-heart and teak and silverballi:
Trees falling give a sense of exultation.
Look at his stumps now!
The axe in the end
Missed horribly. 'J

*Mashramani- a festivity commemorated in Guyana, which means "the celebration

of a job well done".

Source unknown
 - 9-

sea ted ("H e

26. The des crip tion of the old ma n 29. Wh at literary device is used in line 16
es 3-4 ) r me n") ?
"up righ t, rig id/ Spi ne stra igh t" (lin lived in forests and tow ere d ove
imp lies tha t he is
(A) Me tap hor
(A) pro ud (B) All iter atio n
(B) afra id (C) Personification
(C) anx iou s (D) On om ato poe ia
(D) par aly sed
tim e"
30. "Ten tim es wo n at Ma shr am ani
27. Wh ich of the foll ow ing effects is ach
iev ed (line 18) implies that the old man was
"no " in
thro ugh the rep etit ion of the wo rd
lines 9- 1O? (A) famous
(B) competitive
Com par iso n of the old man prio r (C) a hard wo rke r
(A)
to hav ing "stu mp s" (D) good at his job
(B) Em pha sis on the old ma n 's dire
phy sica l con diti on and
Spe cifi cat ion of wh at is allo wed 31. To wha t does "He log ged pur ple -he art
(C) r?
and not allo we d on the old teak and silverballi" (line 20) refe
ma n's bed
(A) Logging a rec ord of trees cut
(D) Co ntr ast bet we en the ma n's
(B) Planning to cut specific trees
pre sen t con diti on wit h tha t of
(C) Cutting specific types of tree s
his you th
(D) Counting the trees he cho ppe d

s the
28. Wh ich of the foll ow ing BE ST exp lain Wh ich wo rd is use d bot h lite rall
y and
32.
iron y of the situ atio n in the poe m? figu rati vel y in the poe m?

(A) Th e old ma n's leg s we re "cu t (A) Stink (line 13)

dow n" and now the y are shorter. Towered (line 16)
(B)
(B) The old ma n use d to kneel "to pray (C) Logged (line 20)
to Go d for me rcy " but now he is (D) Stumps (line 22)
the one in nee d of prayer.
(C) Th e old ma n had an act ive ,
roll ick ing life but now he can The title of the poe m is an exa mp le
of
33.
onl y loo k on as others enjoy their
lives. (A) a pun
(D) The old man spe nt his life cutting (B) a metaphor
dow n trees but now he has been (C) an oxy mo ron
cut dow n by the amputation of (D) an exaggeration
his legs.

GO ON TO TH E NE XT PAGE
 - IO -

Items 34- 39
Instructions: Read the following extract carefully and then answer Items 34-39 on the basis of
what is stated or implied.

"Don't take it to heart, Shark, life's got plenty lessons to teach you yet, pardner; this bush
does reduce you to an animal and then you got to fight your way back to prove you are a man .
You better get moving, and don't let sundown catch you before you reach Nameless River."

I left half of my supplies with Bullah and Tonic, poured boiling water into the barrel of my
5 rifle, tested the action of the bolt and set out. I knew Bullah and Tonic were watching me but
I didn't look back. I walked quickly, feeling my prospecting knife slapping against my thigh.
The forest darkened, and my footsteps sounded loud under the tall trees. I wasn't afraid of
animals or snakes, and for the first time, I felt certain that I would overtake my uncle and
Santos. The only fear I knew was for the thing I was about to do with no witness but God
Io and the forest trees.

But this fear was remote as I swung downhill. The sense of being alone filled me with a
particular gladness. I looked up at the sun and quickened my pace. I saw Nameless River
from a hilltop. The molasses-black stream flowed by a hundred yards away. For a long
time I stood still watching every movement below and scanning the far bank of the river. I
15 descended stealthily until I came to a mora tree which leaned over the river. I hid my balata
pouch between the roots and crouched down to wait.

Jan Carew, "The Reckoning ".

Caribbean Prose: An Anthology for Secondary Schools,
Evans Brothers Ltd, 1977, p. 73.

34. The expression "this bush does reduce you 35. The advice given to Shark in the first
to an animal" (lines 1-2) implies that Shark sentence was meant to warn him that
would
(A) he should not be in the bush after
(A) eat like an animal dark
(B) walk on all fours like an animal (8) he could miss seeing the river in
(C) be forced to adopt the instincts of the dark
an animal (C) there were things he did not yet
(D) hunt for prey for survival like an know about life
animal would (D) he should be careful about
dangerous animals in the bush
 - 11 -

36. "The forest darkened" (line 7) suggests that 38. The phrases "scanning the far bank"
the
(line 14 ), "descended stealthily "
(line 15), "hid my balata pouch" (lines
(A) sun had set by this time
15-16), "crouched down" (line 16) show
(B) trees leaned over the river
that Shark is
(C) sun created shadows from trees
(D) trees were blocking out the sunlight (A) looking for a friend
(B) expecting an attack from animals
(C) searching for a place to set up
37. The phrase "molasses-black" (line 13) camp
describes (D) expecting someone who was not a
friend
(A) the colour of the water
(B) the thickness of the water
(C) how slowly the water flowed 39. Based on the extract, the only feeling Shark
(D) how the water smelled like molasses did NOT experience was

(A) fear
(B) aloneness
(C) anticipation
(D) satisfaction
 - 12 -

Items 40-47

Instructions: Read the following extract carefully and then answer Items 40-n on the basis of
what is stated or implied.

Animals at Risk: \Yho Cares?

An anima l species becomes extinct when it fails to produce enough young in each generation to
keep pace \\i th the death rate. \Ve can tell from fossil eYidence in rocks that many iiYing species
ha\'e become extinct over the millions of years since life began. It is a natural process and extinction
is the fate of any animal that has specialized too far to change \,;hen its environment changes.
:, or that has to compete with a better-adapted and more powerful animal. Because o f enormous
technical developments during the past few centuries. man has destroyed or nearly destroyed
some species by killing them at such a rate that they couldn "t produce enough offspring. or by
completely changing their natural emironment at tremendous speed.

There is every likelihood that many species will be made extinct because of these and similar
10 clearances of natural vegetation. The North American buffalo is a case of the near-extinction of
a species through hunting. Often the numbers are so great the hunters may not realise the danger.
But even \,;hen the danger is ,,idely publicised, as \\ith whales, the financial rewards for the
hunters may be so great that they may choose to ignore the threat to the species. Attitudes like
this have led to hunters and poachers killing animals for furs, for iYory or merely for ornaments
15 for tourists. A slight variation on this is when sportsmen and tourists hunt animals for trophies.
Magnificent creatures such as lions and tigers (however ferocious and terrifying to man and other
animals) have been hunted out of existence in some parts of the world. It is impommt to realise.
though, that animals are sometimes killed out of fear. "Killer tigers' are eliminated in this way.
And animals are sometimes killed out of a wish to reduce numbers to help the species to suni ve.
20 The killing of the Canadian seals and their pups is claimed to be for this purpose, and the use of
their skins for luxury furs is only a by-product.

Many people are concerned about animals and \\ildlife consen·arion. One way to presen·e sp~ies
under threat of extinction - whatever the cause - is to remoYe them to zoos and parks and breed
them in captivity. There is always the chance that enough offspring will be born to return them
25 one day to their natural environment - provided it still exists, and that hunters and poachers
don't begin to exterminate them again! Another method is to protect the animals in their natural
environment by creating \1,;Idlife resen es and parks and using game wardens to look after them.
1

But the parks are large, the wardens few and the determination of hunters and poachers very greaL

There is great pleasure and saris faction in watching \\ildhfe in natural or near-natural enYironmem.s.
30 and tourism can add to the income of countries. The animals are still resources - but in a very
differenr form.

Rex Beddis, Animals at Risk: Who Cares? In A Sense of Place:

Places, Resources. and People. Ch._-ford Cni\·ers iry Press. J 982. p. 86.

40. Accord ing to the extract, an animal species becomes e:[Link] when

(A } the rate of birth exceeds the rate of death

(B ) the rate of death exceeds the rate ofbinh
(C ) the younger animals fail to mature q uick.l:
(D ) the older animals do not produce offspring
 - 13 -

41, Acco rding to the extra ct ' what 1·-c .

lllOnnation 44. In the context of the extract, which word
bas the study of fossil s revea led?
is CLOS EST in meaning to "exte rmina te"
(line 26)?
(A) have been prese nt m. roe k s
. ls .
Fossi
smce hfe began . (A) Destroy
(B) Ma~y sp~ci es have becom e extin ct (B) Eliminate
smce hfe began . (C) Massacre
(C) Whe n ~ife began , the first animal (D) Assassinate
speci es becam e extinct.
(D) Milli o~s of years after life began,
speci es becam e extinct. 45. Which of the following BEST conve ys the
writer 's purpose?

(A) To inform
42. The write r sugge sts in lines 3-5 ("It is a (B) To reflect
natur al proce ss and extin ction is the fate (C) To persuade
of any anim al ... with a better -adap ted and (D) To complain
more powe rful anim al") that

(A) adapt ing to envir onme ntal changes 46. Which of the following statem ents BEST
helps speci es to avoid extinction expresses the MAIN idea of the passa ge?
(B) comp eting with more powerful and (A) Extinction is a natural phenomenon,
bette r-ada pted speci es prevents but man contributes significantly
extin ction to the problem.
(C) beco ming extin ct is a natur al (B) Many facto rs cause speci es to
proc ess that all speci es will beco me extin ct but there are
event ually face solutions to the problem.
(D) speci alizin g too much in response (C) Man' s technical discoveries have
to chan ges cause s speci es to caused other speci es to becom e
beco me extin ct extinct and this must stop.
(D) The probl em of extin ction which
species of animals are facing is
43. Whic h of the follo wing is NOT given as a cause d by man so man has to
reaso n for speci es becom ing extinct? solve the problem.

(A) Hunt ers killin g anim al species for

food 47. When the writer says "The killin g of the
Man chang ing the envir onme nt too Canadian seals and their pups is claim ed
(B)
quick ly . to be for this purpose, and the use of their
Spor tsme n poac hing amm als for skins for luxury furs is only a by-pr oduct "
(C)
troph ies (lines 20-21 ), the reade r can infer that
(D) Anim als prod ucin g youn g at seals and pups were kille d in
(A)
treme ndou s speed Canada
(B) the animals were killed to reduce
their numbers
(C) the writer does not fully believe the
purpose stated
(D) the anim als' skins were used to
produce luxury furs
 - 14 -

Items 48-55
· ·
Instructio ns: Read the followmg extract carefully an d t hen answe r Items 48-55 on the basis of
what is stated or implied.

This is an open request to try to find who is the ' brain ' behind traffic managem ent in ~aolo.
Does anybody know? I have tried Traffic Branch, not them; Highways , no~ the~; _Planmng &
Development, not them; in fact nobody wants to take responsibility for certam deciswns and the
mess that results.

5 For example, Mission Road was made one-way, north to south. Great idea! It worked, no traffic
jams. In fact, many people were charged for going the wrong way up a one-way street. Then
suddenly it's back to two-way and traffic for so! Same is true of Stoke Street. Somebod y changed
the ' Stop' signs at the comer for a few weeks, then they changed it back; nobody knows why.

But the best is Celestial Road in St John which is 'Wrecker Heaven'. Somebod y made this road,
10 which, apart from Broadway, is the widest street in Paolo, a 'no parking' street, either side, any
time, and the ' Wrecker' is profiting from this.

There are four major office buildings on this road, all of which provide undergrou nd parking for
staff, so some (usually the lower paid) have to park elsewhere and these are the persons whose
cars the wrecker is taking away all day, everyday. Again the small man suffers!

15 Oh! there is an exception: if you have a Canadian High Commission sticker you can park and the
wrecker will not touch your 'Diplomat ic' car. Maybe we could all become Diplomats !

Then again, the two narrowest streets in Paolo allow parking; try Delino Street off Abby Lane,
you can hardly pass!

Who is the ' brain' behind this ~ess~ It se~ms the more cars we put on the road, the less parking
20 somebody wants to allow. Who 1s this bram? No doubt a small man with a BIG, BIG car who has
no name!
Source unknown

48. The writer's use of the word "brain" (line I) 49. When the writer repeats "not them" in
is meant to paragraph 1, he implies that

(A) make fun of the decisions (A) he is choosing someone to complain

(B) create a comparison of streets to
(C) compliment those responsible (B) no one knows who is in charoe of
(D) exaggerate the traffic problems 0
the traffic managem ent
(C) no ~~e wants to accept responsi-
bility for the traffic situation
(D) he is searching diligently for the
person in charge of traffic
 - 15 -

"Stoke Str eet " (lin e 7) ' "Ce lest·Ia1 Ro ad"

50.
(line 9) and "D elin o Str eet " (lin 17)
53. The author of this passage is MOST likely
BE ST be con sid ere d e can a

(A) motorist
(A) pro hib ited stre ets for all drivers (B) pedestrian
(B) stre ets tha t attr act a lot ofa ttent1. on (C) traffic warden
(C) exa mp les to sup por t the wri ter' s (D) government official
cas e
(D) ass ign ed par kin g places for diplo-
ma ts 54. "Again the small man suffers" (line 14)
implies that the small man is often

51. The wri ter 's ton e can be described as (A) ignored
(B) disadvantaged
(A) puz zle d (C) considered the most
(B) res ign ed (D) the one who is wrong
(C) sar cas tic
(D) com pli me nta ry
55. The letter was MOST likely published in a

to (A) newspaper
52. Th e las t sen ten ce of the lett er is similar press release
(B)
par agr aph 5 bec aus e bot h of the m (C) tourist brochure
(D) school magazine
(A) me nti on car s
(B) exp res s dis gus t
(C) are com pli me nta ry
(D) con tain rhe tor ica l questions
 - I6 -

I terns 5 6----60

Instructions: Read the follol\ing advertisement carefully and then answer Items 56--o0 on the basis
of what is stated or implied.

Say "YOU ARE SPECIAL" with

LOVE BLOOMS

Our flora l arrangements send the message when there are no words.
Th e selection of flowers is varied and the arrangements are spectacular.
5 New revolutionary treatment ensures longer lasting freshness.

LOVE BLOOMS OFFERS YOU THE SERVICES OF WELL-TRAINED, CREATIVE FLORISTS

AND ARRANGERS WHO FASHION YOUR REQUESTS FOR SPECIALTY DESIGNS TO MEET
YOUR EVERY WHIM AND FANCY.

9 OUT OF 10 CUSTOMERS VALUE OUR EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE SERVICE. '

I

10 Whatever the reason

Happy Holidays!! Happy anniversary!!

Welcome Home!! Congratulatio ns!!

Say it with LOVE BLOOMS.

Island Gifts Special

15 1 dozen homegrown ginger lilies plus 175 g box of gourmet guava cheese

Gift Boxed $25.00 i

Other selections also available from $12.00 up to $50.00 (including a personal message).

Delivered anywhere on the island.

Order by phone, fax, post, email.

20 Cash, credit cards, debit cards, cheques

LOVE BLOOMS

Bloomsdale, Rose Petal Gardens, Grenville

 - 17 -

When the writer uses the statement "Our

56. 59.
floral arrangements send the message In using the statement "9 out of l 0
when there are no words" (line 3) h . customers value our efficient and reliable
suggesting that ' e is service" (line 9), the writer's purpose is
MOST likely to
(A) there are no words to d escn.b e
Love Blooms (A) show that people like the company
(B) show how many people use the
(B) those who receive the flow ers are
left speechless service
(C) demonstrate that the company has
(C) these flowers are sent by people done some research
who cannot speak encourage patronage by appeal-
(D)
(D) flowers convey the message more ing to the need to be part of the
clearly than the spoken word group

57. According to the advertisement, the 60. The primary purpose of this advertise-
treatment applied to the flowers ment is to

(A) makes the stems grow longer (A) introduce a gift special
(B) makes the flowers stay fresh for a (B) give information about the delivery
longer period service
(C) is a result of the training that the (C) persuade readers to use the service
florists receive offered by Love Blooms
(D) causes the flower arrangers to (D) give some examples of occasions
work with them better when flowers may be used

58. The use of the words "to meet your every

whim and fancy'' (lines 7-8) is intended to
make customers feel that

(A) some desires are trivial

(B) their desires will be met
(C) the florists are very creative
(D) the arrangements are always fashion-
able

END OF TEST

~KV IS CALLED, CHECK YOUR WORK ON TIDS TEST.

IF YOU FINISH BEFO RE T .UU.P