CSEC English A Paper 1 May/June 2005 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

The prize-winning garden boasted a profusion of rare plants.

The stricken family thanked the entire community for their benevolence after the earthquake.

The book-keeper said that our account was dormant.

During the final stages of the trial a new witness was called to corroborate the testimony of the accused.

We are asking that you make use of the expertise to help us to train some students.

Directions: In Items 6-10, some of the 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 is inappropriate and choose the corresponding letter A, B or C. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D. Mark your choice on the answer sheet.

Overcome by fear, I ran $\underline{\text{passed}}$ my home A without realising that I $\underline{\text{had done so}}$ . B C

Of the two books, "Good Habits", in spite of its size, $\underline{\text{provides a deeper study}}$ of humans $\underline{\text{in}}$ A B $\underline{\text{their environment}}$ . C

There is hardly a $\underline{\text{point to}}$ our knocking as A no one $\underline{\text{is not at home}}$ . B C

No one in the island $\underline{\text{seemed to know}}$ where the A Prime Minister $\underline{\text{could be located at}}$ , even though B C there was a nation-wide search for him.

No sooner $\underline{\text{had he entered}}$ Kathleen's room A and $\underline{\text{begun preparations}}$ for the feast $\underline{\text{when}}$ B C there was a sharp rap at the door.

Directions: Each sentence in Items 11-15 is followed by four sentences. Choose the one NEAREST in meaning to the original sentence. Be sure to read all four choices before you select your answer. Mark your choice on your answer sheet.

If Mr. Jones plans to stay overnight in Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room for him.

Mr. Jones' secretary will reserve a hotel room for him when he stays overnight in Kingston.

Unless Mr. Jones plans to stay overnight in Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room for him.

Since Mr. Jones plans to stay overnight in Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room for him.

Mr. Jones' secretary will reserve a hotel room for him should he plan to stay overnight in Kingston.

Bad spelling may not matter to some but it is evidence of the second-rate writer and creates an unfavourable impression of his work.

To some, an unfavourable impression of both the writer and his work is conveyed by second-rate spelling.

Bad spelling does not matter much to some people as it is only a symptom of the second-rate writer and his work.

Although it may be of little consequence to some, bad spelling distinguishes a writer as second-rate and gives a poor impression of his work.

To the second-rate writer, it does not matter much that to some, bad spelling conveys a poor impression of his work.

Realising that her suitcase had been left on the bus, the woman desperately tried to attract the conductor's attention.

The woman became aware that her suitcase was left on the bus and did her best to catch the conductor's attention.

When the desperate woman realised that she was leaving the bus without her suitcase she tried to attract the conductor's attention.

The woman made all attempts to attract the conductor's attention to the suitcase which she had left on the bus.

The conductor's attention was attracted by the woman who in desperation, had forgotten her suitcase on the bus.

Since I went to the shop yesterday, I do not need to go there today.

Since I did not want to go there today, I went to the shop yesterday.

I went to the shop yesterday because I do not need to go there today.

Having gone to the shop yesterday, I do not need to go there today.

Yesterday I went to the shop and I do not need to go there again today.

Cigarettes have been linked to lung cancer and strangely enough, so has bacon.

It is strange that bacon, quite unlike cigarettes, is linked to lung cancer.

It is no wonder at all that both cigarettes and bacon are linked to lung cancer.

It is rather peculiar that bacon, like cigarettes, is connected with lung cancer.

Cancer of the lung links cigarettes and strangely enough, bacon.

While the secretary was advising the young woman, her discourteous nephew mischeivously made faces at her.

The stationery was recommended to the student by the librarian.

Whenever there is a food crises the people always experience shortages of basic necessities.

The doctor recommended that the patient spend a period of convalescence in the country in order to recuperate fully.

The announcement concerning the intensifying of restrictive measures was not greeted with enthusiasm.

Items 21-30 Directions: Read the following passage carefully, and then answer Items 21-30 on the basis of what is stated or implied.

The moment Aldrick stepped outside, Carnival hit him. And his heart grew big, and he felt a softness flow over him, and on the street, the steelband and masqueraders were 5 assembling. The months of practising and sewing and painting and building were flow- ing together in the stillness of the morning under the eyes of women and children who had awakened from sleep and dressed hur- 10 riedly to come out and watch their band, to see their people, to admire them and cheer them and to accompany them, to tramp the pavement, while the masqueraders occupied the street, as a sort of guard, right into 15 Port-of-Spain.

It hit him, the red and black and gold and green, the colours and the feathers and the satin, and the people's faces with that look in their eyes, and the smell of cologne and 20 face powder, and the smell of grease and the look of wonder on the children's faces, and the little fellars with sailors' caps on; and what reverence and what awe as if they alone in the whole world had the real eyes to see the 25 real thing, to see heroes, to see giants, to see gods.

And watching, fascinated by it all, as if he were seeing with the boys' eyes, Aldrick felt a tallness and a pride, felt his hair rise on 30 his head. And eyes brimming with tears, Aldrick felt again the fierce love and hope that he had doubted in himself, felt again a sense of mission: felt that yes, there was a place here for him, that there was something 35 to say yes to, and people before whom and on whose behalf he could dance the dragon. With a strong, piercing scream, he stepped into the street, his chains rattling, his arms outflung, his head lolling, in a slow threaten- 40 ing dance of the Beast, so that the people of the Hill turned to him, recognizing him, said: "Yes! Yes! That is Dragon!"

The words "... hit him" (lines 2 and 16) are repeated to emphasize the impact of

the excitement of Carnival

objects being thrown

the noise and the smells

collisions taking place

"And his heart grew big..." (line 2) means that Aldrick

was urged to join the band

Lines 5 and 6 of the extract suggest that preparations for Carnival entail a great deal of

The use of the word "flowing" in lines 6-7 is intended to show

the specific activities involved in costume-making

the boring nature of the many activities before Carnival itself

the continuous nature of the activities

how important each of the activities is to the success of Carnival

"... women and children... dressed hurriedly" (lines 8-10) suggests that

time was passing quickly

no one wanted to miss the spectacle

people's appearance did not matter

the people had overslept that morning

"... what reverence and what awe..." (lines 22-23) reveals that the spectators were

"... to see heroes, to see giants, to see gods" (lines 25-26) is an example of

metaphor - which compares the costumes to forms of prehistoric times

exaggeration - which makes the description humorous

repetition - which stresses the variety of the costumes displayed

contrast - between the size of the people and that of the costumes

The reaction of the people to Aldrick's dance was one of

recognition and fear

recognition and approval

The last sentence of the extract (lines 37-42) gives the impression that Aldrick's dance is intended to be

To which of the following senses does the writer appeal in this extract? I. Sight II. Smell III. Hearing

The quality BEST suggested by lines 11-13 is

The phrase which gives the MOST literal description of the product's qualities is

"inner mood" (lines 2-3)

"power of a storm" (line 12)

"magnificent scent" (line 9)

"body and soul" (line 16)

The advertisement claims that the worth of the product can be tested by

comparing it with others

observing the people who use it

analysing it chemically

The advertisement is worded to appeal mainly to women who

know about expressions

know their inner moods

enjoy outdoor living

The advertisement suggests that the MOST attractive women are those who

enjoy the power of storms

are bold in their behaviour

speak calmly and elegantly

reveal a hidden sensuality

The advertisement seeks to appeal to women by associating the product with

strength of character

gracefulness and refinement

a happy outlook on life

intelligence in social behaviour

Directions: Read the following passage carefully, and then answer Items 37-46 on the basis of what is stated or implied.

From time immemorial men have hunted wild animals in forests, tilled the soil, caught fish in the sea and rivers - all with the object of obtaining food, that basic commodity essential to existence. Agriculture is part and parcel of life, and is as old as mankind. Yet even in the most primitive times man always had certain tools, hunting implements, knives, spears, and flints, to help him conquer nature and support himself. As knowledge progressed over the centuries, so man developed more and more devices to aid and adorn his life; the corn from the soil was ground into flour and baked into bread; textiles and clothing were made, and buildings such as medieval castles and churches were created. The art of printing was discovered, and this led to the production of more and more books. Metal goods were turned out at forges and workshops throughout the country; great sailing vessels were constructed and a whole host of goods, ever increasing in variety as time went by, were manufactured by men.

Industry, which is the name given to those occupations in which something is manufac-tured, has thus for a very long time been an important part of man's existence. Tinkers, tailors, candle-stick makers, iron-mongers, blacksmiths, tanners, weavers, spinners and many others were all an essen-tial part of life in olden days. For these were the people who manufactured the goods and articles that society wanted and needed.

The manufacturing industry was very closely associated with agricultural life. Many of the spinners, weavers and others did not work in the cities or towns, but in their own cottages in the rural villages. During sowing, ploughing and harvest time all activity was concentrated on the fields, but in the long winter months, with little or nothing to be done on the land, industrial work took the place of agricul-tural. Spinning wheels spun wool into yarn, and weaving looms wove yarn into cloth.

In many parts of the country agricultural labourers in summer became industrial workers in winter.

Man has always been involved in agriculture in order to

According to the passage, which of the fol-lowing has man used throughout his life to improve his agricultural production?

The word "adorn" as used in line 6 is closest in meaning to

According to the passage, tinkers, tailors, candlestick makers and weavers were all important in the olden days because they

established themselves as people in authority

set the trends in fashion

provided employment for the society

were considered the providers in the society

In medieval times spinning and weaving were considered

The writer makes it clear that many villagers were

threatened by the growth of industry

underemployed during the winter

disenchanted with life in the city

involved in both manufacturing and farming

The writer suggests that the overall result of manufacturing has been to

increase food production

raise living standards

increase the spread of information

mechanize production of goods

From the passage it is evident that in medieval times

there was some amount of industrial activity

manufacturing industries were not popular

many workers were poor agricultural labourers

there were many large factories for manufacturing goods

The writer refers to "man" and "men" throughout because

he is writing from a male point of view

man is traditionally regarded as the breadwinner

this is a convenient way of including both sexes

agriculture and manufacturing employed only men at that time

The writer's MAIN point is that

industry is older than agriculture

agriculture is man's most important activity

the manufacturing industry is linked to agriculture

work is essential to man's survival

The phrase: "Her garden looks" (line 1) is an example of

The garden seemed criss-crossed because the

poet was looking at it through a lattice window

garden beds were laid out in squares

children were walking across the garden

person looking at the garden was cross-eyed

Which of the following phrases is meant to be taken literally?

"Hiding places for small girls" (line 4)

"Feeding her frail consciousness" (line 13)

"Her garden... travels politely unto the verandah" (lines 5-6)

"Watching the even shape of her days" (lines 28-29)

"Her garden stands neatly round her house" (line 5) tells us that

there were several well-kept potted plants on stands around her house

several tall trees stood along the side of the house

the garden which surrounded the house was well kept

the woman cleaned the flower beds every day

The poet uses the words "frail consciousness" (line 13) to show that Mama

had fainted because of lack of food

was thin and weak and could hardly walk

was unconscious most of the time

was not understanding very well what was going on

Lines 22–26 suggest that the woman

was a musician in an orchestra

enjoyed listening to romantic music

loved to play loud music

spread the musical instruments around the house

"To catch, just once, a wider open door behind her steady eyes," (lines 30–31) tells us that the

poet wanted to find out something more about the woman

woman should open her front door wider

woman's eyes were always wide open

poet wanted to catch her when her door was open

According to the writer in lines 1 - 9, what is the most frightening thought that occurs when a guest stares at your bookshelves?

He will be distracted from the important business at hand by looking at your books.

He will ask to borrow one of your favourite books.

He will be bored by your selection of books.

He may show disapproval of your taste in books.

The guest looks "from title to title as from girl to girl in an overheated dance hall" (lines 5-6). This comparison is intended to suggest a feeling of

The writer uses a series of short sentences in lines 6-8 to suggest a feeling of

The writer, in paragraph three (lines 10-15), describes in detail how he obtained the book in order to

explain to the reader why he is so attached to the book

make the guest aware of how he came to own the book

show the reader that he did not mind if the guest borrowed the book

give his guest the background necessary to understand what the book is about

In line 19 the writer uses the square brackets to indicate that the word in these brackets

is an expansion of those not in brackets

parallels those words not in brackets

contradicts those words not in brackets

is there to emphasize those words not in brackets

"One has books; one has friends; they are bound to meet" (lines 20-21). This implies that it is

possible to avoid such meetings by hiding away one's books

inevitable that books will be borrowed by one's friends

unusual to have neither books nor friends

impossible to have a friend who does not want to keep one's books

According to the writer, which of the following is NOT true in the comparison of borrowing books and borrowing money?

The borrower is more inclined to bring back one's money than one's books.

The borrower is more inclined to remember borrowing one's money than one's books.

The borrower is more likely to feel guilty about borrowing one's money than one's books.

The borrower is more likely to make serious and faithful promises about returning one's money than about returning one's books.

CSEC English A Paper 1 May/June 2005 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

CSEC English A Paper 1 May/June 2005 Questions