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SS2 English Exam Past Question – Third Term. Study ahead with standardized past questions from professionals.

CLASS:  SS2

ENGLISH ESSAY WRITING QUESTIONS

1. The Old Students’ Association of your school has just erected an ultra-modern hall for the school. As the senior prefect, write a letter to the chairman thanking him for this project and pointing out three other areas in which the school needs assistance.

2. Several demonstrations have been organized in the past few months in your country. Write an article for publication in one of your national newspapers, discussing the causes of these demonstrations and proposing three ways by which the government could deal with them.

3. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: Living in one’s country is more advantageous than living abroad. Write your argument for or against the motion.

4. Your friend wrote a letter to you and a part of it reads: “I think I am going to fail my forthcoming examinations! I don’t know what to do.” Write a letter of encouragement to your friend, discussing at least three things he or she can do to manage examination jitters.

5. Write a story that ends with the statement: I was mistaken to have thought the night would be like Other peaceful nights.

Comprehension

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

1 had always thought that he was under a spell to be such a workaholic. Daily, after returning from school, he would promptly head for the bush. There, he would engage in fashioning out something that could fetch him some money. He would emerge sometimes with baskets and brooms made from palm fronds and at other times, two or three pestles beautifully crafted to please any housewife. Occasionally, he would work till late evening as a labourer on someone’s farmland. Returning, he would bring home pepper, vegetables and firewood. During the holidays, he would spend more time working from cockcrow till dusk on large commercial farmlands. Interestingly, he had a father, who had his own farm, but was too poor to finance his education. Once in while, he would go to his father’s farm to help the old man out.

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However, towards the end of his first year in senior secondary school, he obtained a piece of farmland from his father. He worked on the land as if his life depended on it! That year, he planted maize and all sorts of vegetables. The harvest gave him enough money to pay his fees, procure some planks and several carpenter’s tools. With his knowledge of woodwork, he started making simple kitchen tools, tables and chairs which attracted a lot of customers. Yet, his education did not suffer; indeed, he was always in the top position in the class.

Once, when I remarked in class that Adamu was like a person pursued by a demon pushing him to work so hard, everybody laughed, including him. When the laughter subsided, he looked at me intently and said, “Kola, you can’t understand. I pray you will never have that demon after you. I guess if you were in my shoes, without a mother since age three, you would have such a demon after you too. I only vaguely remember my mother because I was too young when she passed on. When my father remarried, the woman excluded me from her care; I had to find a solution. I got myself enrolled in school at age eight. I had to take care of my feeding, pay my way through school, and buy uniforms and books. At first, an uncle introduced me to working on other people’s farms, but when I discovered that I could take care of myself, I worked even harder. When there was no work anywhere, I took to the bush to make objects like brooms, baskets, pestles and hoe handles. Today, I have as many pairs of shoes, clothes and books as any of you. Now, I have graduated from making simple home items to making doors. Nobody taught me these, nobody, except, perhaps the demon you referred to”.

JSS2 English Past question for 3rd Term- Promotional Exams

Complete silence followed. Since then, I have had the utmost respect for him.

(a) Why did the writer think Adamu is under a spell?

(b) Give two reasons why Adamu had to take care of himself.

(c) State two major types of jobs Adamu engaged in to support himself.

(d) What does the reference to Adamu’s academic performance tell us about him?

(e) What is the writer’s attitude towards Adamu?

(f) What tells us that Adamu was determined to be educated?

(g) like an person pursued by a demon… What figure of speech is used in this expression?

(h) that I could take care of myself…

(i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression as it is used in the passage?

(ii) What is its function?

(i) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage:

(i) a spell

(ii) crafted

(iii) procure

(iv) attracted

(v) vaguely

(vi) simple

Summary Passage (30 marks)

You are advised to spend 40 minutes on this section.

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

Rarely can one find any African dish without tomato. It is an important ingredient in the preparation of rice, beans and many varieties of stews and soups. Although there are many types of tomatoes, the ones preferred by most people are thick, fleshy and virtually seedless. A few years ago, many homes could not buy this essential commodity because it was unaffordable. It became so scarce that, even when available, it was sold at an exorbitant price. Many had to resort to using the canned tomato paste. However, it was not tomato alone that was unaffordable, other food items were also out of reach of the common person. A number of reasons were identified as a cause of this disturbing situation.

Experts identified tuta absoluta as the disease that affected many tomato farms. This caused massive destruction to the crop and resulted in scarcity. Surprisingly, tomato was not the only crop that was plagued by disease; maize was also attacked by a disease caused by a ravaging army worms. This disease also affected other grains like sorghum, millet and wheat resulting in wide-spread scarcity.

Farmers usually rely on wholesalers to buy off farm produce. The wholesalers rely largely on private transporters who charge exorbitantly to render their services. The high cost of evacuating the farm produce continues to make it scarce and expensive. Transporters blame the exorbitant charges on high cost of fuel and vehicular maintenance due to bad roads. The cost is eventually transferred to the produce and borne by the consumers, many of whom are unable to afford it.

Farmers do not have access to storage facilities, so they are unable to preserve their harvest while awaiting the arrival of buyers. Unfortunately, a lot of farm produce is eventually trashed as it spoils on the farms. This is particularly disheartening, considering that not enough is produced for the consumption of the populace in the first place. Ultimately, the farmer calculates the total cost of planting for the year on whatever is left to be sold.

The problems are, however, not insurmountable especially because they have been identified. Governments have an important role to play which they cannot abdicate to the citizenry. For far long, farming has depended on annual labour. In order to increase as well as guarantee greater harvest, governments must encourage and support mechanized farming. Waste would be reduced to the barest minimum if storage facilities were available; therefore, the provision of storage facilities is pertinent. Governments should also educate farmers on modern farming practices including the use of necessary insecticides at the appropriate time. Certainly, these steps will bring some succor to the lingering food crisis on the continent.

(a) In three sentences, one for each, state three causes of food scarcity in Africa.

(b) In three sentences, one for each, state three ways by which the problem of food scarcity can be tackled.

 

SECTION 1

each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D. choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same sane correctly fill the gap in the sentence

 

1. Abdul’s contribution at the meeting was seen by many as invaluable but the chairman said it was

A insincere B. useless C. impossible D. preposterous

2. The boy may be culpable but his brother is surely A. innocent B. ignorant C. accountable D. honest.

3. Our class teacher used to be rigid in his opinions but he is now ……….. of other people’s views. A wary

B. critical C. apprise D. tolerant

4. Some workers were quite affable at the meeting but their leader was rather A. guarded B. cautious C. suspicious D. antagonistic

5. The driver believed he would be castigated by all the passengers but he was A. encouraged

B. exonerated C. commended D. released

6. The manager was eulogized for his speech while his assistant was

A. discouraged B. criticized C. appraised D. denounced

7. Some people are generous towards strangers while others are towards them.

A. indifferent B. sympathetic C. nasty D. mean

8. The baby who had all along been calm suddenly became

A restless B. hungry C. angry D. cheerful

9. While Ade is his wife is quite self-effiscing

A. aggressive B louisy C. conceited D. unfriendly

10. Bakary is a prudent husband while Musa is

A. mean B. extravarrant C thoughtfal D. mindless

SECTION 2

From the words lettered A to D choose the word best completes each of the following sentences

11. The incumbent chairman won the election by a ………….. of twenty votes

A surplus B. consensus C. Space D. margin

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12. Simce all items on the agenda had been discussed, the meeting was…….

A. dismissed B. suspended C. adjourned D. dissolved

13. The police explained that all the aggrieved persons should seek in the court of law.

A. redress B. Litigation C. address D. restoratin

14. Our principal has a large………….of cows A. gang B. herd C.skein D. flock

15. The first storey building in Nigeria stash as a historic………..

A. effigy B. artefact C.monument D. edifice

16. I returned from the vacation refreshed and A. rejuvenated………. B. revived C. reloaded D. remodelled

17. She was advised to see a……….. because she had an unusual skin disease.

A. cardiologist B. dermatologist C. gynaecologist D. ophthalmologist

18. The doctor’s ………. suffering from cancer. was that the patient was

A. prediction B. prescription C. diagnosis D. analysis

19. Tom’s father gave him a valuable gift as an……… to make him work harder in school

A incentive B. attraction C. interest D. offer

20. We have not yet heard the weather…………

A forecast B. broadcast C.prediction D. announcement

21. After rigorous interrogation, the thief had no alternative….to confess the truth. A. except B. unless C. but D. rather

22. The director is open….criticism. A. for B. to C. on D. about

23. Tunji divided the money between David and……A. he B. him C. himself D. themselves

24. The jury gave……verdict. A. it’s B. its C. his D. her

25. No person will do that. A. matured B. maturing C. mature D.matures

26. She stabbed her friend….. the back. A. on B. at C. upon D. in

27. I am not accustomed……on an empty stomach A. to sleep B. to have slept C. for sleeping D. to sleeping

28. Take your share and give them….A. their B. there C there’s D. theirs

29. My uncle was not sure…..the strange guests were A which B. who C. whom D. what

29. The principal has already summoned all the………on the matter. A heads of departments B head of department C. heads of department D. head of departments

30. But for the timely intervention of the police, the kidnapper…….by the angry mob. A. will be lynched B. would have been lynched C. would be lynched D. will have been lynched

31. she was tired when we arrived, mummy prepared a delicious dinner for us. A. despite B. if C. since D. although

32. … …..Science and technology many African countries have not made significant progress since their independence. A. with regards to B. in respect to C. as far as D. with regard to

33. If 1 your father, I would call the police. A. have been B. am C. will be D. were

34. 1 hate…….waiting A. to be keeping B. having been kept C. being kept D. to have been kept

35. You had better…. the examination A. written B. write C. wrote D. be writing

36. The policeman tried to cash in……….the driver’s ignorance. A. under B. against C. on D. with

37. Yesterday, I……..on the beach for half an hour. A. lain B. lay C. lie D.lied

38. We were told to mind our burins during the examination and not…….A sombody’s else B. somebody else’s C. somebody’s else’s D. somebody else

39. Whenever you travel buy me…..please, A. a trouser B. one trouser C. a pair of trousers D. trouser

40. The Housemaster asked Ekene whether he had ever……….the marathon. A. run B. ran C. running D. runs

From the words or group of words ittered A ke 13, chouve the word or group of words that best completes couch of the following sontzezes

41. He said that they ……… painting the house by then A will have fintshed B. would have finished C will finish D. would finish

42. I will wear my………. dress to the dance A. blue silk new B: blue new sitk new blue silk D. silk blue new

43. 1f I ……… an eagle, I would fly to distant lands A. was B. were C. am D. be

44. The teacher needs……….. the chalkboard. to write the note on

A chalks B. a chalk C. some chalk D. many chalks

45. The man said that he……….. A. had eaten there the previous day B. ate here yesterday C. has caten there before D. had eaten there yesterday

46. To be healthy, we need to eat a ………. diet every day A. balanced B. complete C. mixed D. delicious

 

47. I can rustle an…….. omelette – at least A out B. up C. On D. off

48. Banko was ………. unhappy after the fight. A very B. too C. much D. such

49. Everything would be……… Cheaper in the sales. A. greatly B. considerably C. strongly D. most

50. The boot of my new car was ……. accident in the A cracked

ORALS

SECTION 1

Choose the answer that has the sound

51. /ei/ A. fair B. file C. lion D. pen E rain

52. /u/ A. book B. coup C. crush D. pour E sue

53. /3/ A. ask B. causal C. hash D. match E vision

54. /i:/ A. great B. grief C. head D. trick E. wisdom

55./ɔɪ/ A. corner B. holy Cowl D. recoil E sow

56. /t/ A. attention B. castle C. caution D. listen E. watch

57. /a:/ A. among B. bother C. hay D. heart E. pack

58. /θ/ A. bathe B. boat C. dear D. health E. thus

59. /æ/ A. bow В. сар C. far D. hate E pie

60. /ʌ/ A. burn B. cot C. cup D. know E. man

61. /b/ A. comb B. debt C. doubt D. probe E. thumb

62. /dʒ/ A. batch B. drag C. leisure D. wage E wash

63. /3/ A. herb B. palm C. pet D. save E stalk

64. /ai/ A. bail B. how C. love D. Buy E bait

65. /ʌ/ A cook B. Book C. Look D. Suck

SECTION 2:

choose the option with the word that follows the correct transcription

66. Which word is pronounced /ˈhʌŋɡri/? A. Hangry B. Hungry C. Hangery D. Hongry

67. Which word is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːtər/? A. Compter B. Computir C. Computer D. Compueter

68. Which word is pronounced /ˈæmbjʊləns/? A. Ambulunce B. Ambulance C. Ambulense D. Ambulans

69. Which word is pronounced /ˈæprɪkɒt/? A. Aprica B. Apricote C. Apricot D. Apricott

70. Which word is pronounced /ˈfæməli/? A. Family B. Famili C. Famly D. Famally

TEST OF ORALS

From the word lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the lettered underlined. An example is given below.

Example: seat (a) sit (b) cite (c) set (d) keys

The correct answer is D because only key contains the same vowel sound as the one underlined in seat. Therefore, answer space D would be shaded.

Now answer the questions that follow.

71. Dark (a) stem (b) firm (c) sharp (d) ward

72. Tough (a) cough (b) born (c) boat (d) done

73. Chief (a) dead (b) feast (c) fine (d) chin

74.Put (a) worn (b) could (c) fun (d) pan

75. King (a) kit (b) rind (c) key (d) bean

76. Tan (a) tan (b) tin (c) wan (d) gas

77. Debt (a) said (b) doubt (c) gain (d) eke

78. Soar (a) pot (b) foal (c) catch (d) caught

79. Dye (a) deal (b) dent (c) tide (d) day

80. Date (a) west (b) height (c) says (d) heinous

81. Berth (a) hurt (b) hunt (c) breath (d) berry

82. Sure (a) sower (b) fewer (c) grew (d) floor

83. Clothes (a) clue (b) bother (c) claw (d) both

84. Rear (a) realm (b) mere (c) read (d) mare

85. Shoe (a) prune (b) great (c) bush (d) shone

 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. An example is given below

Example: ten (a) depot (b) attack (c) listen (d) cloth.

The correct answer is B because only attack has same consonant sound as the one underlined.

Now answer the questions that follow.

86. Frame (a) praise (b) flame (c) pram (d) phrase

87. Love (a) few (b) view (c) plough (d) cough

88. Through (a) breath (b) both (c) drew (d) train

89. Scene (a) theme (b) keen (c) psyche (d) prize

90. Change (a) nature (b) nation (c) champagne (d) chameleone

91. Pleasure (a) pressure (b) pleasing (c) natural (d) occasion

92. Gender (a) guilty (b) good (c) glitter (d) joyful

93. Ton (a) knock (b) hymn (c) pink (d) sing

94. Weather (a) length (b) brother (c) think (d) breath

95. Facts (a) face (b) lots (c) fast (d) loathes

96. Sheep (a) sign (b) same (c) wash (d) sin

97. Young (a) jump (b) jog (c) yen (d) junior

98. Laughed (a) read (b) bed (c) sachet (d) right

99. Tusk (a) box (b) boats (c) task (d) talks

100. Fill (a) alms (b) calf (c) blank (d) could