Free CXC English A Paper 1 January 2024 past paper from 2024. 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 2024 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers
Free CXC English A Paper 1 January 2024 past paper from 2024. 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.
He has been a staunch ........................ for better health care systems for the poor.
critic
suspect
advocate
performer
Ready-to-wear garments are ........................ in great numbers off the racks in stores.
sorted
situated
original
available
The students of the different year groups said they ........................ the title of "Most Loved teacher" on Mr Rogers.
elected
conferred
amended
fabricated
They were told not to ........................ the cost of repairing the building.
hinder
launch
weaken
disclose
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:
They were told to collaborate together to produce the project.
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.
In some traditional wedding ceremonies, money is thrown at the bride and groom.
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.
Each of the children have an appointment with the principal.
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.
Items 11–15
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.
The <U>doctors'</U> attempts to <U>resuscitate</U> the patient were <U>futile</U>. (A) (B) (C)
The doctors'
resuscitate
futile.
No Error
If Antonio's <U>attitude</U> changes <U>their</U> will be a vast <U>improvement</U> in his performance. (A) (B) (C)
attitude
their
improvement
No Error
One of the admirable <U>characteristics</U> of the young <U>is</U> that they are not easily <U>scared</U>. (A) (B) (C)
characteristics
is
scared.
No Error
Since too <U>much</U> passengers <U>were</U> in the taxi, the policeman issued a ticket to <U>the driver</U>. (A) (B) (C)
much
were
the driver.
No Error
As John <U>listened</U> to the lesson <U>being taught</U>, he began to <U>loose</U> interest. (A) (B) (C)
listened
being taught
loose
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
They lived in a large, sprawling, modern house in a very remote area of the parish.
historic
built-up
well-kept
depressed
James has a hatred for things that crawl.
fear
dislike
respect
fondness
The views expressed by Mr Jones were inconsistent with those of the committee.
compatible
challenging
unpredictable
irreconcilable
The airline conveyed the new flight information to the passengers.
withheld
analyzed
misplaced
transmitted
Items 21-25 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.
I saw the two men jogging around the savannah, and they later proved to be Olympic track stars.
Begin the sentence with
The two men
that
when
which
whom
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
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
We visited the zoo and then we went to see the display at the museum in the city.
Begin the sentence with
We went to see the display
after
since
while
before
I enjoy having a room of my own, and I try hard to take care of it.
Begin the sentence with
I try hard
but
since
unless
although
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.
Source: https://gussiespoetryproject.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/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 "The air ran blue as the flowers" (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
The MAIN theme of the poem is
remorse of conscience
the death of two birds
forgiveness for a sin
sin committed
To which of the following senses does the poem MOST appeal?
Sight and touch
Smell and sight
Sight and hearing
Touch and hearing
The first two sentences of the passage suggest that the relationship between the sisters was
strained
forgiving
aggressive
affectionate
"Their marriage was a stormy one" (lines 4-5) implies that
it was unpleasant
it was fraught with difficulty
they got married on a stormy day
they didn't always see eye to eye
The instruction "Go to the ends of the earth" (line 12) implies that they should search
every accessible land
the Kingdom of Wild Horses
over mountains and down rivers
through densely wooded valleys
The literary device used in the phrase "as delicate as spider webs" (line 19) is a
pun
simile
metaphor
hyperbole
The writer implies that Leha was
a traveller
Marta's sister
a household servant
the leader of the queen's army
Which of the following is an example of contrast?
She "had lost both her beauty and her mind" (line 6).
"she had vanished without a trace" (line 8).
"her hair was streaked with grey" (line 18).
"lighting up her dark face" (line 25).
"The cloud of white hair" (line 24) is an example of
litotes
metaphor
oxymoron
personification
The style of writing in this extract can BEST be described as
factual
narrative
descriptive
argumentative
The word that is closest in meaning to "turbulent" (line 27) is
rough
placid
demanding
manageable
According to the Financial Times (UK) which of the following statements is true?
There are only sixty single-sex schools at present.
All single-sex private schools have been converted to co-ed.
There has been an increase in the number of single-sex schools.
Many state and private single-sex schools have been converted to co-ed.
Which of the following words may BEST be used to replace "influence" in line 6?
result
impact
attitude
reference
Which group is the writer MOST concerned about?
Successful candidates
Graduates from our school system
Men who suffered psychological distress
Those who have no siblings or only siblings of the same gender
What is the speaker attempting to do in the passage?
Warn students about the danger of single-sex schools
Support the decision to implement single-sex schools
Criticize those who are in favour of single-sex schools
Argue for psychological wellbeing over academic performance
The MAIN purpose of the title "Why create further divisions?" is to
arouse the curiosity of readers
ask a very important question
state a point of view
state a fact
"I just can't take it anymore" (line 1) implies that the writer is
crying
arguing
hurting
shouting
Which of the following devices does the writer use in paragraph 2 to explain her plight?
Pun
Litotes
Contrast
The rhetorical question
The following sentence "I work hard and every report so far indicates that I am an above-average student" (line 5) suggests that the writer
is boastful
is pleading
wants to sustain this
is about to fail her exams
What effect does the writer achieve when she says "Can you imagine my mother and her 16-year-old daughter going to this place in the midst of riotous drinking ..." (lines 19–20)?
Criticism for their actions in going to a bar
Scorn for the women's behaviour in going into a bar
Admiration from the reader for the women's courage
Shock from the reader that the women should go there
This kind of writing is BEST classified as
emotive
narrative
descriptive
argumentative
The MAIN purpose of this advertisement is to
sell light bulbs
promote lighting in the home
encourage better energy use
highlight energy use in the home
How much energy do fluorescent lights use?
Seventy-five per cent less than incandescent lights
Seventy-five per cent more than other lights
Fifty per cent of what incandescent lights use
The same amount of light as other lights
The advertisement emphasizes that motion sensors are important because
they are cheap
they waste energy indoors
they do not conserve energy
they are efficient and provide security
Which of the following is NOT stated in the advertisement?
Low wattage uses 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
contractors
housewives
the light company
The literary device used in Item 7 of the advertisement is
comparison showing the similarities between the ability of the fluorescent lights and incandescent lights to save energy
contrast showing the differences between the ability of the fluorescent lights and incandescent lights to save energy
emphasis highlighting the abilities of the fluorescent lights and incandescent lights to store energy
imagery allowing the readers to see the abilities of fluorescent lights and incandescent lights to store energy