English Language Head Teacher

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION INTO YEAR *

SAMPLE ENGLISH PAPER

TIME ALLOWED: 1 HOUR 30MINUTES

NAME: SCHOOL: EXAM CENTRE: DATE OF EXAM: Instructions:

Use a black or blue pen

Answer all questions

Dictionaries are not allowed for this examination Advice:

Read each question carefully before answering.

Be time conscious.

It is important to proofread your answers

Be reminded of the importance of legibility; clear presentation of ideas; DO NOT START UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. GOODLUCK! English Language JSS1 Page 2 of 14

SECTION A:

Instructions: Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions which follow: Passage 1

Kangaroos live together in small family groups, each group usually keeping to its own district. But in the hot, dry weather, when the grass has died down and food is scarce, they often have to wander great distances in search of food and water. Sometimes, during very hot weather, a thunderstorm will water the ground in a certain place and make the grass grow green there, when the rest of the land is still dry. The kangaroos will travel from far and near to eat the good food to be found there. Full-grown male kangaroos fight seriously and very fiercely. A fighting kangaroo stands up on the tips of his toes, and leans back on to his tail. He pushes his chest out and looks as fierce as he can. He may strike at his enemy with his front paws, but usually he grabs his opponent and then tries to bite him. But he is most dangerous when he fights with his great hind feet: a blow from these strong, steely claws is like a cut from a knife. He will sometimes kick upwards with both feet at once, using his strong tail to support him, and in this way a large male can kill his enemy with one blow.

Kangaroos can usually escape from their enemies by leaping away, for they can hop very fast indeed; an adult can travel about twenty miles in two hours when he is being pursued by hunters. The hunters keep large, fierce dogs for hunting kangaroos, but even these dogs sometimes cannot conquer a large male kangaroo when he is fighting with his back against a tree or rock. Sometimes he will wade out into a pond or lake and wait for them there. When the dogs swim out to attack him, he tries to grab them and hold them under the water to drown them. QUESTIONS

1. Do kangaroos live alone or in groups? 2. Do they always stay at home, or do they sometimes travel? 3. What does a big male kangaroo sometimes do? 4. What is his fighting position? 5. What does he use his front paws for? 6. When is he most dangerous? 7. Do kangaroos run or hop? 8. What animals help men to hunt kangaroos? 9. Do these animals always win? 10. What sometimes happens when a kangaroo goes into a pond? English Language JSS1 Page 3 of 14

Passage 2

In Tudor and Stuart times people believed in witches. James and I even wrote a book about them. Part of the reason for believing in witches was that there were so many things that could not be explained. Why did a seemingly healthy person suddenly die? Why did animals suddenly become sick? People in those times did not have much scientific or medical knowledge so it was easy to say that a witch had used Magic spells to put a curse on someone. If people were suspected of being witches, they were put into a river or a pond. If they floated they were guilty of witchcraft and they were then burnt or hanged. If they sank, they were innocent but they often died by drowning!

Between 1603 and 1683 it is believed that 70,000 people were put to death because they were found guilty of witchcraft.

11. Why did people find it so easy to believe in witches? 12. People often blamed witches for sudden death or sickness. For what else do you think witches might have been blamed?

13. People accused of being witches were put into water to prove their guilt or innocence. Do you think this was a fair test? Give reasons for your answers. Passage 3

From my experience, I have come to believe that there is nothing one cannot achieve if there is the will to do it. I had thought I would never go to college in my life. For one thing my parents were poor; for another I didn't seem to be getting on very well with my lessons. Our teachers were neither regular nor punctual, and when they came to classes, they preferred to call us names, me in particular.

I became indifferent or rather hostile. Consequently, I absented myself from school at will; and when I reported, it was only to cause trouble. My parents, though poor were eager that I should English Language JSS1 Page 4 of 14

be well educated. They became unhappy at what I was becoming: a candidate for a remand home.

The third term of the school year started with a new set of teachers. Having observed me for some weeks, the new head teacher called me. He said I was underrating my ability that I could do better if only I made up my mind to do it. That was the turning point. Fortunately, the new teachers became regular in their lessons and taught them very well. At the end of the year, I was among the ten pupils in our year who gained admission to various colleges. 14. Why did he think he wouldn't go to college?

A. He had not sat for any entrance examinations.

B. His parents said he shouldn't' go.

C. He didn't want to go.

D. His parents were poor and he didn't learn his lessons. E. His teachers did not like his name.

15. The writer said he became indifferent. How did he show this? A. He did not attend his classes regularly.

B. He beat up his teachers.

C. He became disobedient at home.

D. He was not happy.

E. He quarreled with his parents.

16. A remand home is

A. an institution for young offenders.

B. the college the writer wanted to go to.

C. a home for the deaf and dumb.

D. a police station.

E. where the new set of teachers came from.

17. 'Having observed me Who observed the writer? A. The writer himself.

B. The writer's parents.

C. His fellow pupils in the school.

D. The new head teacher.

E. All the new teachers.

18. Why do you think the writer gained admission to a college? A. He took his head teacher's advice and worked hard. B. The head teacher recommended him to a college.

C. The college wanted him at all costs.

D. His parents wanted him to go.

E. The college was very near the remand home.

English Language JSS1 Page 5 of 14

19. One may say that the first set of teachers were bad because they A. flogged the pupils anyhow.

B. always asked the pupils to work in their farms

C. Were neither regular nor punctual.

D. often quarreled with the head teacher.

E. often abused parents.

20. Why were the writer's parents unhappy?

A. Their son refused to learn and was always making trouble. B. The head teacher wanted to expel the boy from the school. C. Their son was an enemy to all the pupils.

D. They had no other children to send to school.

E. None of the above.

21. The lessons we can learn from the above passage is that parents always ask too much of their children.

A. one can learn without good teachers.

B. it’s good to make trouble at school.

C. there is nothing one cannot achieve if there is the will to do it. D. a remand home is good for all children.

22. Which of the following best describes the new set of teachers? A. Dull in appearance.

B. Regular and punctual.

C. Always talking too much.

D. Always absent from school.

E. Always calling the pupils names.

23. Which of the following is correct?

A. The writer was in a remand home for one year.

B. The new head teacher was very unkind

C. The writer's parents were poor.

D. At the end of the year, five pupils gained admission to colleges. E. The writer knew he would go to college during his first month at school. Instructions: From the list of words lettered A to E, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence. 24. Musa achieved success because he was industrious. A. indolence

B. diligence

C. sickness

English Language JSS1 Page 6 of 14

D. innocence

E. company

25. All the crooked roads in the town are being reconstructed. A. beautiful

B. narrow

C. rough

D. old

E. straight

26. The headmaster knows the pupils who break school rules. A. mend

B. make

C. obey

D. bend

E. confuse

27. The 'Kangaroo' is a dangerous animal.

A. harmless

B. weak

C. wild

D. domestic

E. strange

28. The teacher rejected the explanation of the prefect A. wrote

B. accepted

C. received

D. saw

E. praised

29. The innocent lamb was sacrificed to appease the gods. A. admonish

B. offend

C. obey

D. pacify

E. amuse

English Language JSS1 Page 7 of 14

Instructions: In each of the following numbers, a pair of words is given, study the relationship between the two words and choose the most appropriate of the options lettered A-E to complete each number.

30. Pork and pig, mutton and

A. cow

B. dog

C. goat

D. horse

E. sheep

31. Primary school and headmaster, secondary school and A. counselor

B. dean of studies

C. prefect

D. principal

E. vice chancellor

32. Tailor and tape, farmer and

A. book

B. car

C. chisel

D. sickle

E. spanner

33. Cock and crow, elephant and

A. chatter

B. hiss

C. neigh

D. quack

E. trumpet

34. State and governor, country and

A. Commissioner

B. Minister

C. President

D. Secretary

E. Worker

English Language JSS1 Page 8 of 14

Instructions: Each of the following questions consists of five words lettered A-E. Four of them have at least something in common while one is odd. Pick out the one that does not belong to the group.

35. A. Doctor 36. A. Ball

B. Nurse B. Canvas

C. Pharmacist C. Chalk

D. Radiographer D. Racket

E. Zoologist E. Whistle

37. A. Exercise book 38. A. Cashier

B. Gun B. Cheque

C. Pencil C. Money

D. Pen D. Teller

E. Ruler E. Wig

Instructions: Punctuate these sentences correctly. 39. edward likes wednesday best because he has art 40. emma had her birthday in july

41. does march come before october

42. shanaz lives in brendon avenue

43. is france bigger than germany

44. mr and mrs grant went to spain on holiday in july English Language JSS1 Page 9 of 14

Instructions: in each of the following words, choose the one that cannot be formed with all or some of the letters of the word in capital.

45. FALSEHOOD

a. fade

b. hood

c. flash

d. harsh

e. sea

47. HUMANITY

a. man

b. hunter

c. human

d. unity

e. tin

46. CRACKLE

a. cake

b. rake

c. lake

d. ankle

e. are

48. RAILWAYS

a. way

b. sway

c. may

d. rail

e. raw

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. Choose words from the box only.

between among beside besides

49. Robin likes sailing, other sports. 50. You can choose hiking and climbing. 51. The athletes waited the starting line. 52. Vitamins, what other nutrients are important for our body? 53. Most people know the difference vitamins and minerals. 54. The bottle of vitamins is kept the lamp. 55. You should never talk meals. 56. The ill-behaved students fought themselves. English Language JSS1 Page 10 of 14

57. many other minerals, the body needs calcium and zinc. 58. his children, Uncle Tom's nephews and nieces were also present. Instructions:

Choose the right word from the box and write its correct form in the sentences given below. One has been done for you.

clumsy brave correct rude

merry bright angry quick

Example: A polite man never speaks rudely to anyone. 59. The robber took the money and ran away 60. The entire class wrote the answers 61. The soldier fought for his country.

62. Tom's father shouted at him

63. He lifted the vase so that it broke into two. 64. The sun shone on the pretty flowers. 65. The children laughed at the clown's tricks. Instructions: Complete each of the following statements with the most appropriate of the options

lettered (a) to (d)

66. I must obtain university degree this year.

(a) a (b) an (c) some (d) the

67. We the senior students recently.

(a) are seeing (b) saw (c) see (d) seen

English Language JSS1 Page 11 of 14

68. Nelson has already in the competition.

(a) been run (b) ran (c) run (d) running

69. Our teachers teach very well

(a) did they? (b) didn’t they? (c) do they? (d) don’t they? 70. James and Jane had to sweep the room

(a) herself (b) himself (c) ourselves (d) themselves 71. else is coming to the party?

(a) what (b) when (c) where (d) who

72. The maid……. offered a helping hand after much persuasion.

(a) politely (b) probably (c) readily (d) willingly 73. Radio and television are two major source of and

(a) programmes, news (b) bulletins, news (c) news, entertainment (d) current affairs, commentaries

74. The person who reads the news on television is the

(a) news man (b) journalist (c) editor (d) newscaster 75. We have a television set in our house.

(a) coloured (b) colouring (c) white (d) colour

76. The programme was …….in the evening yesterday.

(a) transmitted (b) done (c) read (d) revealed

77. In rural areas where there is no electricity people use………radio sets.

(a) mains (b) battery-powered (c) portable (d) big 78. Miss Ada looks forward to Europe by next summer.

(a) visited (b) visiting (c) have visited (d) have visited Instructions: Fill in these abstract nouns in the sentences given below. Wisdom obedience knowledge

Slavery childhood strength

Abraham Lincoln tried very hard to put an end to slavery in America. English Language JSS1 Page 12 of 14

79. Students attend school to gain 80. is the time for fun and games. 81. King Solomon was famous for his 82. My teachers expect complete from me. 83. The elephant has great and can easily lift heavy logs of wood. Susan has forgotten the spellings of some verbs in their past tense form. Can you help her? Rewrite the verbs correctly.

84. Maria loveed plants and flowers. 85. She noticied every detail about them. 86. Then she joted down facts about each plant. 87. She decideed to take the pretty one’s home. 88. Some of them were shiped to different countries. 89. She planed to give plant samples to colleges. 90. She carryed a sample to each college. 91. Scientists likeed her work. Instructions: Read the passage below and answer questions on it. The kids of Blahville need something fun to do and deserve a place to go after school and on weekends. When kids are bored, they tend to look for trouble to keep themselves busy. If the people of this town want to help kids stay out of trouble, building a recreation center is the way to go! A recreation center would give kids in our town a safe place to go to hang out with their friends and find exciting things to do.

Additionally, some of the kids in Blahville have expressed interest in playing school sports. I hope the town can see the benefit of building a recreation center and starting sports programs. This would be a great opportunity for teens in our area to learn teamwork while staying physically fit. I think you will find it hard to argue with the points I have made here. It should be clear to the people of Blahville that a recreation center can only have a positive effect on our town and its young people!

92. What is the author's purpose in writing this piece? A. to entertain the reader

B. to inform the reader

English Language JSS1 Page 13 of 14

C. to persuade the reader

D. to teach the reader

93. What point of view is the passage written from? A. second person

B. first person

C. third person omniscient

D. third person subjective

94. What is one fact that could be used to support the argument? A. I think the recreation center will benefit everyone in the community. B. The town of Blahville has funds available to support the building of the recreation center.

C. Blahville is a fantastic place to live and raise a family. D. Everyone in town is excited about the prospect of a new place for kids to play sports. 95. Which of these quotes from the text summarizes the author's intended purpose the best? A. "Additionally, some of the kids in Blahville have expressed interest in playing sports." B. "This would be a great opportunity for teens in our area to learn teamwork while staying physically fit."

C. "If the people of this town want to help kids stay out of trouble, building a recreation center is the way to go!"

D. "A recreation center would give kids in our town a safe place to go to hang out with their friends and find exciting things to do."

Instructions: Read the passage below and answer questions on it. THE BEGGAR: (outside) Bread. Bread. Bread. Give me some bread. THE KING: (annoyed) Who is that crying in the street for bread? THE SERVANT: (fanning) Oh King! it is the beggar.

THE KING: Why does he cry for bread?

THE SERVANT: Oh King! he cries for bread in order that he may fill his belly. THE KING: I do not like the sound of his voice. It annoys me very much. Send him away. 96. The text most likely comes from a

A. poem

B. short story

English Language JSS1 Page 14 of 14

C. play

D. nonfiction article

97. The words in the parenthesis are stage directions. What is the purpose of stage directions?

A. they tell the actors how to say the lines

B. they are directions for the director of the play C. the author liked the way they sounded

D. there is no purpose for the stage directions

98. Based on the dialogue, the character of the king could be described as A. happy and helpful

B. lazy and useless

C. spiteful and angry

D. cruel and unsympathetic

99. The king languidly stated that he did not want to feed the beggar. The king had more important things to worry about.

Based on the context clues, languidly most likely means A. happily

B. not caring

C. lazily

D. furiously

100. What is the most justifiable title for this text? A. The shouting beggar

B. Infuriated King

C. Selfless Ruler

D. An act of wickedness

Contact this candidate