Free CXC English A Paper 1 May/June 2026 past paper from 2026. 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 May/June 2026 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers
Free CXC English A Paper 1 May/June 2026 past paper from 2026. 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.
The distinguished actor avoided the press whenever he was on holidays.
praised
attacked
contacted
interviewed
It seems <u>probable</u> that the country will maintain the curfew for another week.
unlikely
impudent
inevitable
undecided
The affluence displayed in the community on the hill indicated the significant difference in economic status compared with dwellers in the city.
misery
wealth
poverty
richness
There was an increase in airplane travel after that incident.
decline
upheaval
restriction
fluctuation
They always displayed a lackadaisical approach to their studies, so no one was surprised at the results.
calm
casual
diligent
careless
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 clichés or misused metaphors. (C) The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction. (D) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.
Although it was creative, the programme failed because of a lack of advanced planning.
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.
Her friend told her to look for the good in the situation as every cloud has a silver lining.
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 reason why I didn't complete the assignment was because I had a stomach ache.
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.
When the clerk raised his voice in protest, his boss asked him to hold his tongue since empty vessels made the most noise and are often thrown in the den to be eaten by the lions.
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 did not looked as if he was prepared for school.
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, punctuation or spelling. Some sentences are acceptable as they stand. No sentence contains more than one inappropriate element. Select the ONE underlined part that you think is inappropriate and choose the corresponding letter. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, choose D. Mark your choice on the answer sheet.
If Antonio's attitude changes their will be a vast improvement in his performance.
attitude
their
improvement
No Error
Neither the books nor the pen are <underline>affordable</underline> (A) on my <underline>meagre</underline> (B) <underline>budget</underline> (C).
are
meagre
budget
No error.
The earthquake in Haiti <underline>destroyed</underline> (A) many buildings, <underline>devastated</underline> (B) the population and was a catalyst for other <underline>disasters</underline> (C).
destroyed
devastated
disasters
No error.
As John listened to the lesson <underline>being taught</underline> (A), he began to <underline>loose</underline> (B) <underline>interest</underline> (C).
being taught
loose
interest
No Error
Since too <underline>much</underline> (A) passengers <underline>were</underline> (B) in the taxi, the policeman issued a ticket to the <underline>driver</underline> (C).
much
were
driver
No Error
Items 16-20 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.
Although the employee was cautioned about her attitude on several occasions, she continued to be impolite.
Begin the sentence with In spite of
her cautioning
she being cautioned
her being cautioned
that she was cautioned
After three hours of walking through the museum, the entire family felt in need of a rest.
Begin the sentence with The entire family felt in need of a rest
walking through the museum for three hours
having walked through the museum for three hours
and they walked through the museum for three hours
despite having walked through the museum for three hours
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 Mum assured me that
there
it was
simply
only just
People from crowded nations cannot get over the accessibility of Canada's natural environment, in all its magnificence.
Begin the sentence with It is impossible for
to be over
to get over
to getting over
to have got over
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.
It was impossible to rectify the error made by the computer since inaccurate information had been fed into it.
fix
pin
aggravate
determine
The young man gave the most cogent reasons for the proposed changes in the educational programme.
logical
flippant
excellent
insightful
The committee selected Mrs Singh to judge the competition as she was known to be unprejudiced.
quick
impartial
judgemental
knowledgeable
The gregarious young man was involved in numerous groups on campus and also enjoyed spending time with his large group of friends.
helpful
grateful
sociable
respectable
The flowers grow profusely in the garden.
wildly
healthily
colourfully
abundantly
Items 26-33 Instructions: Read the following poem carefully and then answer Items 26-33 on the basis of what is stated or implied.
Taste of Endless Fruit
When a single kite is left in evening sky and I stand black against its saffron pulling in the night-covers with a single thread I think of you. When chickens search the warmth of a hen's wings; When bats break a calm lake like scissors on a warm fabric where a lone fisherman waits alone, on the hill, I think of you.
Source unknown
There is a "single kite" (line 1) left in the sky MOST likely because
the cover of night has descended
the other kite flyers are asleep
the lone fisherman waits
it is late
On which aspect of the sky does the poet focus?
Size
Shape
Colour
Distance
Of whom is the poet MOST likely thinking?
An artist at work
A lonely old man
An enemy in hiding
Someone he/she loves
"When bats break a calm lake/like scissors on a warm fabric" (lines 10–11) is an example of
simile
assonance
onomatopoeia
personification
The poet speaks of each of the following EXCEPT
a single kite that is flying
a lone fisherman waiting
the hen's wings that are warm
bats descending on the chickens
Which of the following literary devices is used in line 4 ("black against its saffron")?
Contrast
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Alliteration
The poet's intention is to
describe nature
describe the sunset
tell us of the lone fisherman
tell someone he/she is missing him/her
Which word BEST describes the poet's tone?
Bitter
Serious
Regretful
Nostalgic
"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
"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. To which of the following senses does the writer NOT appeal?
Taste
Sight
Smell
Hearing
According to the extract, a person's set-point is [Please insert the accompanying reading passage here]
his/her potential adult weight based on genetics
the weight that is determined prior to his/her birth
the predetermined weight before his/her first birthday
a glandular disorder that affects his/her overall fat content
According to the extract, the ob-gene is responsible for
caloric intake and expenditure
genetic obstructions
food cravings
obesity
According to the extract, a person's BMR is the
rate of weight gain when he/she is active
energy expenditure when he/she is inactive
calories counted when food is being digested
combination of several factors that affect how the body expends energy
Which of the following contribute to overfatness? I. Heredity factors II. Glandular disorders III. Basal metabolic rate
I and II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II and III
Which of the following is the BEST way for an overweight person to obtain a healthy weight?
Eat as little as possible.
Indulge in regular physical activities.
Reduce calorie input while increasing output.
Increase medical interventions for the treatment of glandular disorders.
Which of the following makes the information in the extract MOST credible?
Use of research and statistics
Application of appropriate vocabulary
Discovery of new contributors and gene types
Analysis of glandular contributions and effects
The writer's use of the word "brain" (line 1) is meant to
compliment an individual
create a comparison of streets
make fun of the poor decisions
exaggerate the traffic problems
When the writer repeats "not them" in paragraph 1, he implies that
he is choosing someone to complain to
no one wants to accept responsibility for the traffic situation
no one knows who is in charge of the traffic management
he is searching diligently for the person in charge of traffic
"Stoke Street" (line 7), "Celestial Road" (line 9) and "Delino Street" (line 17) can BEST be considered as
prohibited streets for all drivers
streets that attract a lot of attention
examples to support the writer's case
assigned parking places for diplomats
The writer's tone can be described as
puzzled
resigned
sarcastic
complimentary
The last sentence of the letter is similar to paragraph 5 (lines 15–16) because both of them
mention cars
express disgust
are complimentary
contain rhetorical questions
The author of the extract is MOST likely a
motorist
pedestrian
traffic warden
government official
The letter was MOST likely published in a
school magazine
tourist brochure
press release
newspaper
When he uses the phrase "save the date", the intention of the author is to
indicate the date of the event
highlight that it is during the week when people should be working or at school
remind the reader to save dates on their calendar that are significant to them
suggest that the date be put in the reader's calendar so the event is not missed.
According to the advertisement, who would be considered the organizer(s) of the event?
The police department of Florida
The Jamaica Consulate in Miami
The local neighbourhood watch groups
Concerned citizens and parents in Florida
The phrase "in partnership with" signifies that
the event is cosponsored
both groups will be attending the event
the persons involved in both groups are friends
the responsibility for organizing the event is shared
The statements "Get involved. Protect the children" reveal that the writer's intention is to
advertise the event
force people to become aware of the issues
call persons to action and to encourage them to become involved
encourage people to attend the event to make it successful for organizers
How does the picture on the poster help the reader to understand the cause of the event?
It shows women being silenced.
It highlights that white teenagers are at risk.
It showcases the helplessness of the victim.
It adds an artistic element of interest to the poster.
Which of the following pieces of information is NOT provided on the flyer?
The venue to be used for the event
The nature of the committee's work
Instructions for registering to attend the symposium
How to get help from the Anti-trafficking Committee
The use of the flags in the poster emphasizes that the symposium is designed for
persons living in Maimi
all Caribbean nationals
European visitors to the region
anyone from the international community