Free CXC English A Paper 1 May/June 2004 past paper from 2004. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
Answer keys are free on Caribbean AI. View the answers to every past-paper question at no cost - no payment needed - with step-by-step worked solutions and instant AI marking available on Premium.
CSEC English A Paper 1 May/June 2004 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers
Free CXC English A Paper 1 May/June 2004 past paper from 2004. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
Opening the interactive papers…
Every question from this paper as text. See the answers and worked solutions. Questions are the property of the Caribbean Examinations Council; Caribbean AI is not affiliated with CXC.
The manager decided to inform the staff about all <ins>complaints</ins> received from customers.
suggestions
demands
requests
compliments
There was a <ins>decline</ins> in airplane travel after September 11, 2001.
rise
upheaval
decease
fluctuation
The <ins>compassionate</ins> man was known by many in the crowd.
fussy
cruel
indifferent
dissatisfied
In these difficult economic times, many organizations <ins>retrench</ins> workers only when absolutely necessary.
dismiss
promote
employ
demote
While the employers approved of his work habits, they objected to his <ins>radical</ins> views.
conventional
informed
fashionable
capitalist
Instructions: Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because of inappropriate grammar, idiom or vocabulary. Some sentences are acceptable as they stand. No sentence contains more than one inappropriate element.
Select the ONE underlined part that you feel is inappropriate and choose the corresponding letter. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D. Mark your choice on the answer sheet.
He divided the sweets among you and me.
divided
among
me
No error
Any disease of the bones and joints which are due to deficiencies in a single nutritional factor can be prevented.
are due to deficiencies
in a single nutritional
factor can be prevented
No error
In "A House for Mr. Biswas", Naipaul shows that how a man may struggle against great odds to achieve those things that he most desires.
that how a man may struggle
against great
those things that he most desires
No error
The duties given the newly recruited officer were planning, coordinating, and organising the activities of the large staff.
given
newly recruited officer
organising
No error
"You may notice that the windows of the house next door," the man pointed out, "looks like those of ancient English cottages."
pointed out
looks
those
No error
Items 11-15 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.
The flowers grow profusely in the garden.
wildly
healthily
plentifully
colourfully
The news story revealed the squalor of the old prison cells.
security
strength
ambiance
filthiness
Although she had visited the site on many occasions, nothing had prepared her for the grandeur of the sunset on that day.
colourfulness
splendour
gaudiness
harmony
For the first time in a decade the company disclosed a deficit in its accounts.
error
defect
balance
shortfall
It was impossible to rectify the error made by the computer since inaccurate information had been fed into it.
alter
erase
correct
determine
Instructions: Choose the option A, B, C or D that BEST describes EACH of the sentences 16 - 20. Each option may be used ONCE, more than ONCE or NOT at all.
If I were the captain of the Australian cricket team, I will attack the batsmen with my fast bowlers immediately after the luncheon interval.
The sentence is too wordy, contains redundancies or is repetitive.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
To attract more business, the store offered free gifts at no expense to the customer.
The sentence is too wordy, contains redundancies or is repetitive.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
The new disciplinary methods have affected a vast improvement on the behaviour of students.
The sentence is too wordy, contains redundancies or is repetitive.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
She was a nimblefooted dancer; her graceful body executed delicate movements with incredible poise.
The sentence is too wordy, contains redundancies or is repetitive.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
The politician hammered the nail of his argument into the leafy minds of his audience who had come to hear him speak on the difficult subject of monetary policy.
The sentence is too wordy, contains redundancies or is repetitive.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
Items 21-28 Instructions: Read the following poem carefully and then answer Items 21 - 28 on the basis of what is stated or implied.
Beat That Light
I think the horses must be laughing, Kicking up their heels and chaffing, Watching from their green abode The things that drove them off the road, 5 Whinnying in soft derision At breakdown, blowout and collision, Neighing, as they roam the prairies, Motorists' obituaries.
Read the epitaphs¹ on Monday 10 Of drivers various and Sunday; Beep the horn and howl the klaxon² For Hebrew, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon; Howling klaxon, beeping horn, The funeral dirge on Monday morn, 15 Usher out the unlucky drivers Without convincing the survivors Here's a curve and here's a truck, Take a chance, and trust to luck, The next one's practically standing still
¹ epitaph means a short piece of writing or poem about a dead person ² klaxon means a type of loud horn formerly used on motor vehicles
Why does the poet feel the horses are laughing (line 1)?
The prairie is all theirs to roam.
He hears them laughing.
They were replaced by something which causes harm.
They are treated well by their owners.
What are "the things" suggested in line 4?
Vehicles
Accidents
Explosions
Traffic jams
Which of the following words suggests the drivers' destiny?
Whinnying (line 5)
Breakdown (line 6)
Obituaries (line 8)
Howling (line 13)
According to the poet, what days seemed to be most prone to fatalities?
Mondays
Sundays
Festivals
Public holidays
Which of the following means NEARLY the same as the title of the poem "Beat That Light"?
Drive faster
Stroke the light
A flashing traffic light
Use corporal punishment
The poet is recommending that drivers drive
slowly
quickly
recklessly
carefully
What is the poet's tone in lines 17-18?
Sarcastic
Persuasive
Indifferent
Enthusiastic
What is the poet referring to in line 19?
Speed
Safety
Caution
Overtaking
The change in Mrs. Rouse's appearance was MOST likely a result of
old age
overwork
a bad marriage
lack of nourishment
Although Mrs. Rouse's face was now so thin that you could see the contours of the cheekbones, (lines 4-5) she was still a
lean woman
kind woman
beautiful woman
strongly-built woman
In the passage, it is suggested that Haynes had
not seen Mrs. Rouse for a long time
often passed Mrs. Rouse in the street
likely failed to recognise Mrs. Rouse
met Mrs. Rouse only after her marriage
The words "exhorting her helpers" as used in lines 13-14 mean the SAME AS
advising her helpers
urging on her helpers
quarrelling with her helpers
forcing her will on her helpers
The words "struggling to stem the tide" (lines 14-15) suggest that Mrs. Rouse was attempting to
cope with her problems
make herself look young
control her bad temper
pretend that she was happily married
According to the passage, which of the following statements about Mrs. Rouse is FALSE?
She was a quarrelsome person.
She was a courageous woman.
She was always kind to her helpers.
She was physically changed since her marriage.
In the passage, Haynes views Mrs. Rouse with
sympathy
disapproval
amazement
bewilderment
Haynes was particularly surprised at Mrs. Rouse's
quarrelsome nature
remarkable courage
changed appearance
disappointing marriage
The expression "basks here in mid-ocean" (line 4) implies that
in Bermuda the sun never sets
Bermudians live a life of luxurious ease
sun bathing is the chief activity of tourists
Bermuda's position exposes it to the full rays of the sun
The use of the phrases "BERMUDA! Faraway. Long ago. Old World." (line 22) in this advertisement attempts to create the impression that Bermuda
is somewhat backward in spite of its beauty
has remained unchanged and unspoilt by technology
is difficult to get to because it lies way out in mid-ocean
is a very distant place inhabited by people of an ancient civilisation
Which of the following statements is an opinion rather than a fact?
Bermuda is surrounded by different types of beaches.
Bermuda boasts as many golf courses as its area.
There is a variety of means of transport offered on the island.
The architectural structure of Bermudian houses is attractive.
From reading the advertisement one can draw ALL of the following conclusions about Bermuda EXCEPT
Bermudians are engaged chiefly in fishing and golfing
Bermuda is an attractive little island nestling in mid-ocean
tourists visiting Bermuda are offered a variety of interesting activities
visitors to Bermuda have no difficulty getting around the island
Which of the following techniques of persuasion does the writer use in this extract?
Comparison with other places to highlight Bermuda's attractiveness
Appeal to the tourists' desire for comfort
Emphasis on Bermuda's tropical climate
Specific examples of Bermuda's attractiveness
Which of the following aspects of Bermuda is emphasized?
Spaciousness
Uniqueness
Cleanliness
Remoteness
Which of the following devices is used extensively in the passage?
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Repetition
In paragraph two (lines 11-25) the writer links the small number of female deaths by guns to the
nonviolent nature of women
fact that there are fewer women than men in America
non-acceptance of guns in the society
different upbringing of girls and boys
According to paragraph three (lines 26-32) it is reasonable to conclude that approximately
one out of every five men who die has been murdered
one woman and five men are killed annually
five out of every six people who are murdered are men
five times more men than women commit suicide
In paragraphs four and five (lines 33 - 44), which of the following does the writer suggest most American men need to do to live longer?
Go to church
Stop driving
Improve their diet
Take more exercise
The phrase CLOSEST in meaning to "longevity" (line 42) is
long life
good health
physical fitness
a balanced diet
The MAIN point made by the writer in paragraph six (lines 45 - 55) is that
men can bear pain better than women can
women read health magazines and attend church
women are less likely to suffer injury than men
men tend to conceal their illnesses more than women
According to the passage, "wimps" are men who
live as long as women
behave like women
do not engage in violent sport
enjoy peace and quiet
The writer suggests that men who become "wimps"
learn to appreciate women more
give up all their violent activities
live as long as women do
behave more like the writer
Which of the following does the writer suggest as reasons why women live longer than men? I. Women exercise less. II. Women show their emotions more. III. Women spend more time in hospital. IV. Women engage in less demanding leisure activities.
I and IV only
II and IV only
II, III and IV only
I, II, III, IV
The evidence mentioned in paragraph seven (lines 56 - 61) indicates that
there are merits in sharing one's feelings
the healing power of women is now being recognised
unmarried men suffer the greatest risk of heart disease and cancer
truth is more powerful than deceit
The phrase "army of clerks" (lines 4 - 5) is an example of
simile
hyperbole
oxymoron
personification
What does the word "sacred" (line 5) imply?
They were on holy ground.
The clerks and secretaries were very religious.
The administrator is treated like a god.
The administration building was located in an old church.
Which of the following is NEAREST in meaning to "they enjoy the role of stooges to the white-man boss" (lines 6-7)?
They did not mind doing their jobs.
They were eager to assist the boss.
They had the privilege of restricting visitors.
They took pleasure in being subservient.
The words "loudmouthed hysteria" (line 11) suggest that the tone of the main speaker is one of
frustration
betrayal
pity
indignation
Which of the following reveals the irony of the situation?
He "refused to even reply to letters we wrote" (lines 3-4).
These clerks and secretaries are black people like us" (line 6).
"But Bass, ...seeing de Administrata is the easiest ting on earth" (line 15).
"All de clerks and secretaries go off to lunch twelve o'clock" (line 19).
In the passage Joe Pittance is seen as
easily annoyed
able to control his emotions
easily moved by the crowd
a very gullible person
The use of italics for the word "Problems" (line 12) suggests that
there were no problems
there was one major problem
he imagined that there were problems
there were multiple problems
The incident in the passage is MOST likely a
rally
town meeting
church meeting
political meeting