Free CXC English A Paper 1 January 2022 past paper from 2022. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
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CSEC English A Paper 1 January 2022 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers
Free CXC English A Paper 1 January 2022 past paper from 2022. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
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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.
An attack on someone when that person is most vulnerable may be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . but is always
inappropriate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . thoughtful
rewarded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . satisfying
destructive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . distressing
effective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unkind
Ready-to-wear garments are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in great numbers off the racks in stores.
sorted
situated
original
available
If you prepare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . you have a good chance of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the interviewer that you are the right person for the job.
carefully . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prompting
hurriedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . impressing
thoroughly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . convincing
inadequately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . persuading
The water in the reservoir was in danger of being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and this was a major concern for the authorities.
infected
polluted
diverted
exhausted
There are many who would try to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . your efforts because of their jealousy.
assist
affect
thwart
encourage
Instructions: Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because they contain errors. No sentence contains more than one error. Some of the sentences are acceptable as they stand.
On the answer sheet, choose the ONE option that best describes each sentence, as follows: (A) The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies. (B) The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors. (C) The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction. (D) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
Its not absolutely necessary for it to be done today.
The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
A focus on physical, mental and emotional well-being is the modern approach to fitness.
The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
Disgusted with the situation, he decided to jump into the saddle and put down his foot.
The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
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 had a positive affect on the students' behaviour.
The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
He advanced a step or two to meet his attacker who suddenly became alarmed and retreated back four or five paces.
The sentence is too wordy, that is, repetitive or contains redundancies.
The sentence contains clichés or misused metaphors.
The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.
The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
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 is inappropriate and choose the corresponding letter, A, B, C. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D.
Overcome with happiness, I ran past my home without recognizing I had done so until my sister called me.
ran past my home
without recognizing
I had done so
No Error
If Antonio's attitude changes their will be a vast improvement in his performance.
Antonio's attitude
changes their will be
vast improvement
No Error
One of the admirable characteristics of the young is that they are not easily scared.
characteristics
of the young is that
they are not easily scared
No Error
Since too much passengers were in the taxi, the policeman issued a ticket to the driver.
too much passengers
were in the taxi
issued a ticket to the driver
No Error
As John listened to the lesson being taught, he began to loose interest.
listened to the lesson
being taught
to loose interest
No Error
Items 16-20 Instructions: Each sentence in this section has ONE word underlined. Choose from the four suggested answers the word which is closest to OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word.
She paid meticulous attention to her work as she attached the beads to the costume.
scant
careful
detailed
cautious
The contestants and audience felt that the judges were impartial in their selection of the winner.
fair
biased
objective
conservative
They lived in a large, sprawling, dilapidated house.
remote
modern
historic
well-kept
The views expressed by Mr Jones were inconsistent with those of the committee.
compatible
challenging
unpredictable
irreconcilable
At the sound of the bell, the students went willingly to their respective classrooms.
slowly
excitedly
punctually
reluctantly
Instructions: Revise each of the following sentences according to the directions that follow it. Do not change the meaning of the original sentence. Look at the options, A to D, for the word or phrase that BEST suits the revised sentence and mark your choice on the answer sheet.
The cricket match ended abruptly when many of the spectators stormed the field.
Begin the sentence with Many of the spectators stormed
so
but
getting
preventing
"It's going to be alright," Mum assured me.
Begin the sentence with Mom assured me that
there
it was
simply
only just
During my time at school I was involved in extra-curricular activities.
Begin the sentence with I was involved in
on staying
while I was
for my stay
when staying
She found, even after she had made several attempts to regulate the sprinkler, that the water was still reaching the furniture on the verandah.
Begin the sentence with Having made
she found that
and finding that
she had found that
she was finding that
More is experienced in one day of the life of a learned man than an ignorant man experiences in his whole lifetime.
Begin the sentence with A learned man
experiences more in one day
more experienced in one day
experienced more in one day
has more experience in one day
Instructions: Read the following poem carefully and then answer Items 26-35 on the basis of what is stated or implied.
Forgive My Guilt Not always sure what things called sins may be I am sure of one sin I have done. It was years ago, and I was a boy. I lay in the frost flowers with a gun, The air ran blue as the flowers; I held my breath, Two birds on golden legs slim as dream things Ran like quicksilver on the golden sand, My gun went off, they ran with broken wings Into the sea, I ran to fetch them in, But they swam with their heads high out to sea. They cried like two sorrowful high flutes, With jagged ivory bones where wings should be For days I heard them when I walked that headland* Crying out to their kind in the blue, The other plovers were going over south On silver wings leaving those broken two. The cries went out one day; but still I hear them. Over all the sounds of sorrow in war or peace I ever have heard, time cannot drown them, Those slender flutes of sorrow never cease. Two airy things forever denied the air! I never knew how their lives at last were split, But I have hoped for years all that is wild, Airy, and beautiful will forgive my guilt.
The title of the poem, "Forgive My Guilt", suggests that the poet is
denying his guilt
proving his guilt
admitting his guilt
suppressing his guilt
The phrase "air ran blue" (line 5) is an example of
pun
metaphor
hyperbole
alliteration
The tone of the poem changes from one of factual recollection to one of emotional response. At which of the following lines does the change occur?
Line 8
Line 10
Line 11
Line 14
What effect does the change of tone from factual recollection to emotional response produce?
A dramatic result
A contrast in mood
A heightening of action
Sympathy towards the person
The following words in the poem all share the same connotation: "sorrowful", "crying", "broken". Which of the following phrases in the poem has a similar connotation to these words?
"their heads high" (line 10)
"jagged ivory bones" (line 12)
"walked that headland" (line 13)
"Two airy things" (line 21)
All of the following phrases in the poem describe physical characteristics of the two birds EXCEPT
"slim as dream things" (line 6)
"Ran like quicksilver" (line 7)
"slender flutes of sorrow" (line 20)
"wild, /Airy, and beautiful" (lines 23–24)
The writer uses the phrase "denied the air" (line 21) to suggest that the birds
did not care to fly
could not breathe
were unable to fly
were being monitored
Which of the following moods is suggested in lines 11–24?
Critical
Indifferent
Sympathetic
Light-hearted
To which of the following senses does the poem MOST appeal?
Sight and touch
Smell and sight
Touch and hearing
Sight and hearing
The MAIN theme of the poem is
sin committed
the death of two birds
forgiveness for a sin
remorse of conscience
"And his heart grew big" (line 1) means that Aldrick
wanted to cry
felt great pride
felt quite angry
wanted to join a band
Lines 2 and 3, ("The months of ... in the stillness"), suggest that preparations for carnival entail a great deal of
waste
tension
hard work
excitement
The repetition of "and" in line 3 of the extract is intended to show
the specific activities involved in costume making
how important each of the activities is to the band
the continuous nature of the activities involved in preparing
the boring nature of the many activities before carnival itself
Lines 4 and 5 ("women and children ... dressed hurriedly"), suggest that
time was passing quickly
no one wanted to miss the spectacle
the people had overslept that morning
people did not have much clothing to put on
"What reverence and what awe" (line 11) reveals that the spectators were
captivated
astonished
bewildered
apprehensive
The reaction of the people to Aldrick's dance was one of
laughter and fear
arrogance and surprise
recognition and approval
uncertainty and suspicion
The last sentence of the extract (lines 17-20) gives the impression that Aldrick's dance is intended to be
cheerful
amusing
surprising
frightening
In describing carnival, the writer makes use of the senses. Which of the following senses is NOT used in the extract?
Taste
Sight
Smell
Hearing
The MOST suitable title for the extract is
The Weak Dragon
Caribbean Carnival
The Dragon's Heart
The Decline of Carnival
Before being given an ABC card, persons have to
undergo a means test
wait for three months
be working at the Ministry of Social Development
visit the office at the Ministry of Social Development
People who are eligible to apply for the card are
all citizens
social workers
parents of families
low or no-income persons
Members of the public who need information about the programme may contact
the media
the ABC Secretariat
a government social worker
the Ministry of Social Development
The passage is MOST likely a
report
short story
press release
letter to the editor
It is MOST probable that the writer of this passage is
a press reporter
a concerned citizen
the secretary of the ABC Secretariat
an official of the Ministry of Social Development
What is the writer's MAIN purpose?
To state the location of Celestial
To encourage tourists to visit Celestial
To compare the various attractions in Celestial
To describe the important features of Celestial
According to the extract, Celestial is located
in the capital
in Bliss Town
in the Caribbean
near the coastline
The repetition of the words "so much" and "so many" serves to
minimize the variety of attractions in Celestial
highlight the writer's lack of words to describe Celestial
summarize the list of activities from which visitors can select
convey the writer's excitement about the variety of things to do
Which of the following phrases suggests the variety of experiences Celestial offers, as presented by the writer?
"your choices are endless" (line 8)
"engaging ways" (line 9)
"nice alternative" (line 12)
"what comes naturally" (line 13)
According to the extract, visitors to Celestial may stay at all of the following EXCEPT
hotels
resorts
rest stops
guest houses
The MAIN purpose of this advertisement is to
sell light bulbs
encourage better energy use
promote lighting in the home
hightlight energy use in the home
Which of the following is the BEST meaning of the word "absorb" as used in Tip 1 of the advertisement?
Use up
Soak up
Take in
Swallow up
Which of the following practices is recommended?
Turning off all lights for a minute
Turning off the lights for short periods
Keeping the lights on when leaving a room
Turning off the lights when leaving a room
The advertisement emphasizes that motion sensors are important because they
are efficient and provide security
are cheaper and brighter
do not waste energy
use energy indoors
Which of the following statements is NOT made in the advertisement?
Low wattage bulbs use less energy.
Lamps placed on the floor are better for energy efficiency.
Not all light bulbs are energy efficient.
Compact fluorescent lights are energy efficient.
The information in the advertisement would be MOST useful to
electricians
householders
the light company
building contractors