English 2015 (2nd) Questions Paper 2 – Answers

June 2015 (Second Sitting)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 2
PART B – COMPREHENSION
ANSWERS

4.
(a) (i) The main occupation of the people
Farming was the main occupation of the people.

(ii) Two other things they did that could earn them an income.
Weaving kente and baskets
Carving stools

(b) (i) What ‘pests’ refer to.
Pests refer to harmful animals that destroy crops by feeding on them..

(ii) Why the writer refers to the pests as ‘his enemies’
Sentu referred to the pests as “his enemies” because the pests feasted on his cassava.

(c) (i) How Sentu felt when his farm was burnt.
Sentu felt very sad / heartbroken / downcast / despondent etc.

(ii) Why he felt that way.
He felt that way because his farm was all that he and his family had to live on.

(d) Two reasons why Tutu chose the elderly and highly respected men to accompany him to visit Sentu
(i) To help him apologise to Sentu
(ii) Their presence will prevent Sentu from reacting violently after knowing the cause of the fire.

(e) Explanation of the following expressions.
(i) a double blessing : two good things happening at the same time
(ii) wept uncontrollably : cried bitterly, cried continuously
(iii) get back on his feet : start anew, spring back, start farming again, get in shape

(f) Another word or phrase that means the same, and can fit into the passage:
(i) anxiously – earnestly, nervously, restlessly, apprehensively
(ii) deceptive – misleading, deceiving
(iii) dashed – rushed, ran quickly, darted, hurried
(iv) mission – task, duty, assignment, purpose for being there
(v) agony – misery, pain, suffering, woe, distress